The holidays are here. Time to gather with friends and family to give thanks for the many blessings in our lives. But shouldn’t every day be thanks-giving? Science says yes, because gratitude is the secret to good health and happiness. Some of you are smiling as you read this, because you have known this for… Read more »
As young women, we grow up hearing horror stories about “going through the change” when hormone fluctuations create often unbearable symptoms like hot flashes, crazy brain, and mood swings. And we know that when this time comes, we will have to make choices for ourselves. In my early thirties, I learned about hormone replacement therapy (HRT)… Read more »
Look where we are…one of the most beautiful places on earth. Our blue skies, stunning mountains, warm winter sun, and brisk morning air make our Valley one of the best places to spend your holidays, or to call home. And it appears that more and more people are calling the Desert home. It was a… Read more »
By the time the paramedics got to me I thought I was dying of a heart attack, so imagine my relief when I found out it was only heartburn. When the doctor sent me home with a prescription I had not a care in the world; I was confident that the prescribed medicine would cure… Read more »
It has been an exciting time to be part of the American Heart Association Coachella Valley team as we continue to ramp up our community health efforts. In October, we launched a free heart-healthy monitoring program for seniors in east Coachella Valley called CHECK, CHANGE, CONTROL. It is a four-month bi-lingual (English and Spanish) blood… Read more »
In the field of dentistry, there is a movement towards holistic or biological dentistry. The practice is fairly new and many contest its principles; however, the environmental stance is the primary driver: silver amalgam fillings contain mercury, and mercury in our water and food sources can be harmful to our health. So, are the amalgam… Read more »
There are approximately 2.8 million cataract surgeries performed in the U.S. each year, and it is very likely that one day you will need this surgery to improve your vision. Today a successful surgery is not only improved vision but vision good enough to drive without glasses. This is an exciting time in the evolution… Read more »
Medicare, the government program that guarantees access to health insurance for Americans 65 or older, has been around for 48 years. Despite nearly a half century of existence, and tremendous popularity, Medicare decisions can be a bit perplexing when you confront them for the first time. The implementation of the Affordable Care Act, known informally… Read more »
Alzheimer’s disease affects one in eight Americans over the age of 65. Approximately 5.4 million Americans suffer from Alzheimer’s disease and 82 million are expected worldwide by 2050. Unfortunately there is still no cure for Alzheimer’s but researchers are continually working to understand the hallmarks of the disease so that they can find a cure.… Read more »
Macular degeneration is the number one cause of permanent vision loss in patients over 55. Now genetic analysis is helping to reduce the risk of vision loss by assisting doctors in identifying the risk of progression and the best treatment for that individual based on their individual DNA. This is one of the first applications… Read more »
Nail fungus is not only annoying and embarrassing, but can also be hazardous to the health of your nail long-term. Although many topical ointments claim to cure the condition, because of their inability to penetrate the nail, the standardly prescribed treatment is oral medications. However, a new technology, hot laser therapy, is proving to be… Read more »
“Aside from losing my wife, it was the most devastating experience of my life.” Those who suffer a stroke know the incident is always a life-altering experience. For Robert Stack Pierce, the stroke he experienced in 2012 was a defining moment in a life filled with high expectations and much success. “Since my stroke, I’ve… Read more »
Low back pain (LBP) is a common complaint among pregnant women. According to the American Pregnancy Association, nearly 50% of all pregnant women will suffer from LBP, either during pregnancy, or during the post-partum period.1 Many women experience LBP with their first pregnancy, and the majority of sufferers state that it hinders their daily activities.… Read more »
Dear Dr. Kato: For the past 3 weeks, I’ve experienced dizziness nearly every morning when I turn over to get out of bed. I feel like I am spinning inside my head, and it is very frightening! If I lie perfectly still, I’m okay. Can you tell me what is causing this? Dear Reader: Dizziness… Read more »
I had only heard of Transcendental Meditation™ (TM®) in the George Strait song “All My Ex’s Live in Texas.” Because of these circumstances, he lived in Tennessee, and through transcendental meditation he would return to Texas each night. “But I always come back to myself, long before daylight.” From this country classic, I always thought… Read more »
You think this is just another day in your life. It’s not just another day; it’s the one day that is given to you today. It’s given to you. It’s a gift. It’s the only gift that you have right now, and the only appropriate response is gratefulness. If you do nothing else but to… Read more »
Residents of the Coachella Valley are being presented with an opportunity to participate in an historic study with the potential to change the face of cancer for future generations. Men and women between the ages of 30 and 65 who have never been diagnosed with cancer are needed to participate in the American Cancer Society’s… Read more »
The Clinton Health Matters Initiative (CHMI) is making significant progress, thanks to the united efforts of numerous Valley organizations and non-profit groups. One of the primary groups within the initiative is the Healthy Eating and Food Quality Workgroup whose goal is to enhance nutritional education and access to healthy food for all members of our… Read more »
When my little Bandito wouldn’t let me pick him up, I was worried. Seven years ago, he had life-saving back surgery and therefore, I feared the worse. The next day he was unable to walk, so I loaded him and his bed in the car and we headed to the vet. The diagnosis appeared to… Read more »
The word connoisseur comes from the 18th Century when the word was used for a person who had a great deal of knowledge about gastronomy, art or any other discipline that pleased the senses. Today, the word connoisseur sometimes comes across with an air of pretension, yet when it comes to our own personal health,… Read more »