Dakota Christmas

Happy Holidays from Desert Health®

The season is here and with it comes new and eventful change.  We talk about change a lot in this issue – positive change that is making a difference. We introduce you to three women contributing to the improved health of our Valley schools, and the benefits that UCR’s new School of Medicine will bring… Read more »

Your Health is in Your Hands

Your Health is in Your Hands

My friend Mary was scheduled for surgery to address a chronic condition she has struggled with for years. It caused severe discomfort and Mary was ready for relief. A month before her surgery, she started feeling better, the pain was gone and her range of motion improved. I asked her if she had cancelled the… Read more »

health is a choice

Health is a Choice: Making a Difference in Our Schools

Improving nutrition in schools is no small task.It requires the motivation, inspiration and action of a hard working team to instill long-lasting change. In this year’s Healthy Lifestyle Challenge, schools competed against valley cities, companies and organizations for the “Best of the Best” award. The goal for each program was to improve the health, physical… Read more »

How Will UCR’s New School of Medicine Benefit Valley Residents?

The Desert Healthcare District (DHCD) recently made a significant investment in the new School of Medicine at the University of California, Riverside. This investment will pay enormous dividends for the Coachella Valley in expanded access to primary medical care and new programs to improve health outcomes in underserved communities. The decision to grant “preliminary accreditation”… Read more »

Grapefruit

Diet, Lifestyle and Your Eyes

Our eyes are the windows into our bodies and give important clues to our overall health status. Age related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of significant, permanent vision loss in individuals over 60. Approximately 1.5 million Americans have AMD, and roughly 7 million have an early form of the disease. AMD causes loss… Read more »

Health Sneezing Hay Fever

Is It a Cold, Allergies, or Sinusitis?

The differences can sometimes be subtle. Common to all three problems is irritation and inflammation of the lining of the nose and sinuses, causing nasal congestion, runny nose, and facial pressure. Sinonasal allergies result when certain substances, typically airborne allergens, gain access to the body through the throat and nose, and stimulate the release of… Read more »

Top Four Methods to Prevent Blood Clots

Blood clots are part of our natural healing process. Yet they can also negatively affect our bodies leading to serious health conditions and even death. Over 100,000 Americans die from blood clots each year.1  Blood clots occur when there is an accumulation of particles in the blood that stick inside the blood vessel. This accumulation… Read more »

The Gentle Adjustment

Chiropractic is from Greek words which mean “done by hand.” It is grounded in the principle that the body can heal itself when the skeletal system is correctly aligned and the nervous system is functioning properly. To achieve this, the doctor of chiropractic uses his or her hands as an adjusting tool to perform specific… Read more »

The Doctor’s Dilemma in Today’s Medicine

Quality versus quantity has always been a dilemma for physicians, but even more so in today’s medical environment. Health care providers now have major decisions to make which will have long and far-reaching effects for how you, the patient, will be treated. A primary care physician’s practice serves approximately 2,000 to 4,000 patients. A doctor… Read more »

Genetic Testing: A Cornerstone in Modern Preventative Care

When the topic of genetic testing comes up most people think about determining diseases, paternity or a criminal’s identity. With the completion of the Human Genome Project in 2004, genetic medicine has evolved exponentially. The advances in human genetics allow for preventive health care advice to suit each individual’s unique genetic profile. Patients can now… Read more »

A Brave New World

There is a trend in health care of “conventional” medical practitioners and “alternative” care professionals working together. This practice provides the best of both health care worlds in a fully integrated model of medicine that not only addresses the acute disease process and symptom management, but also treats the causes of underlying chronic disease. Integrating… Read more »

Young Lives at Risk

Childhood obesity is reaching epidemic proportions and the statistics are alarming. It can lead to many serious health issues, including high cholesterol, high blood pressure and pre-diabetes. Of greatest concern is that research shows one of every three children in the United States is now considered overweight. Health care professionals are working diligently to educate… Read more »

Sugar In America

If sugar is your vice, this time of year is sure to gratify your sweet tooth. October kicks off the season with three little words (“trick or treat”) delivering delightful gobs of goodies. November perpetuates the trend with pumpkin pie and candied yams. And all of this leads up to the grand celebratory month of… Read more »