Yoga Goes Mainstream

Once thought of only as the obscure practice of hippies and gurus, yoga is now being recognized by all as a healing modality for that which ails you. Whether you have physical, mental or spiritual deficiencies, yoga can – and will – enhance your wellbeing. Since the 2016 report in the Mayo Clinic Proceedings gave… Read more »

I am a lung cancer survivor

In 1986, I was diagnosed with stage 4 adenocarcinoma, non-small cell lung cancer. My medical treatment included removal of my lower left lobe followed by 35 radiation treatments. My road to recovery was long and difficult. At the time, there was little information out there for patients like me – no Internet to research and… Read more »

Never Stop Growing

When was the last time you learned something new? One thing I love about Desert Health® is with each issue, I learn something new. But it’s been a while since I invested time into actually learning a new skill. This summer while enjoying Oprah and Chopra’s latest meditation series, Desire & Destiny, I did a… Read more »

Precision Cancer Treatment

Last October, Desert Regional introduced TrueBeam, the latest technology for radiation therapy which aims to reduce treatment time and the effect on surrounding tissues. We spoke with Comprehensive Cancer Center Radiation Oncologist, Dr. Amir Lavaf, to learn more and see how this new technology is changing the way they treat cancer. Dessert Health: Is TrueBeam… Read more »

Matching Funds Growing to Address Homelessness

As mentioned in the July/August Desert Health®, the Board of Directors of the Desert Healthcare District/Foundation had voted to establish a collective fund with up to $2 million as a challenge grant for a West Valley Homelessness Initiative and will match up to $2 million in contributions. Addressing homelessness is a critical goal that the… Read more »

John Feller

Prostate Symposium Adds Global Reach

This October, Desert Medical Imaging (DMI) is bringing  experts from around the world together for a three-day symposium on prostate MRI and MR-guided intervention. The educational event will be held on October 5-7 in Palm Springs at a new interactive learning facility opened last year by USCAP, an international pathology education organization. Located on South… Read more »

Beating the Fear beyond Cancer

Shay Moraga was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer at the beginning of 2016 and shares her journey with Desert Health® readers in this ongoing column. In the July/August issue, she shared her growing fear that her cancer had returned…. As I sat up in bed I prayed. I prayed to take this fear away… Read more »

Gilda’s Club Changes Name

Being told you have cancer is one of the scariest things that can happen to any person, their family and their friends. Fortunately, those in the Coachella Valley have a treasured place to turn to help them navigate all the questions, concerns and care that goes into fighting this disease. Gilda’s Club Desert Cities has… Read more »

The Nightly Grind

Many people deal with grinding their teeth on a nightly basis. Some may not even be aware they are doing it, but experience the effects, unsure of what the cause may be. Evidence of grinding can manifest itself in a number of ways including sore teeth, sensitive gums, worn teeth and fatigued facial muscles. It… Read more »

Vision Complications of Stroke Patients

Approximately 800,000 people suffer a stroke every year, making it is the most common disability among adults. There are two basic types of strokes: an ischemic stroke (when a blood clot blocks a blood vessel) and hemorrhagic stroke (when a blood vessel ruptures or leaks). Some stroke patients have preceding symptoms called transient ischemic attacks… Read more »

Radiation Therapy for Skin Cancer

Skin cancer is one of the most common cancers in the United States with an estimated 3.5 million plus cases diagnosed each year. In fact, the incidence of skin cancer has risen steadily over the past decade and is particularly common here in the desert valley where sun exposure is prolonged and the UV index… Read more »

Diverticular Disease: Is There a Cure?

Diverticulosis is an out-pouching of the colon wall. The reason why some people develop diverticulosis is not completely understood, but it is thought to be caused by chronic high pressure inside the colon leading to protrusions at weak spots of the colon wall. Genetic predisposition has also been implicated. The condition is usually diagnosed as… Read more »

PAIN: Avoid Opioids by Treating the Cause

In 2015 more people in the United States died from drug overdose than car accidents and gun homicides combined.1 It is no secret that our country is going through an opioid epidemic. How did we get here? And if not with medication, then how should we be treating pain? Studies in the 1980s indicated little… Read more »

mentoring the future

Mentoring the Future

Suppose I could offer you an opportunity to grow your future workforce? Growing your future workforce while impacting and mentoring thousands of young high school students is available through OneFuture Coachella Valley’s Business Engagement Team. Business leaders and owners taking part in this opportunity are also developing a pipeline of next generation talent. As business… Read more »

How to Boost Your Practice’s Online Visibility

Managing a medical practice is different from promoting your agency or brand. Medical practices are synonymous with professionalism and tact, but that doesn’t mean that there isn’t a way to utilize marketing strategies for business growth. It’s all about understanding the style and tone of the practice, targeting the audience, and reaching your current and… Read more »

HPV and the HPV Vaccines

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is actually a group of more than 150 related viruses. HPV commonly presents as papillomas, or warts, commonly found on genitalia, but sometimes elsewhere. They are transmitted by skin-to-skin contact and are the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI) in the U.S. and Canada. About 79 million Americans are currently infected with… Read more »

Acupuncture and Fertility

Acupuncture, frequently combined with herbal medicine, has been used for centuries to treat infertility. Recently several studies from Scandinavia, the U.S. and Israel have confirmed the positive role acupuncture has in combating infertility. Stress is a recognized factor in reducing fertility. Because of the delicate balance between the hypothalamus, pituitary, and reproductive glands, stress can… Read more »

Therapeutic Yoga

According to the 2016 Yoga in America Study, conducted by Yoga Journal and Yoga Alliance, over 36 million people are currently practicing yoga in the U.S. with 34 percent (more than 80 million of us) reporting they are “somewhat or very likely” to do yoga in the next 12 months. However, with so many options… Read more »

Yoga for Menopause

Yoga is a spiritual science that has been practiced for thousands of years in India and for over a century in the United States. While the ultimate goal is to achieve a transcendental state, the tools of yoga can be used to alleviate ailments of the body and mind and to improve the day-to-day lives… Read more »

Living Wellness with Jennifer

The Power of Silence

Summer adventure led me to one of the youngest islands in the world – Iceland. This frontier land of fire and ice, as Icelanders call it, is also a land of wonder and astonishing silence. The absence of trees covering most of the volcanic land mass results in few birds chirping, creating a void that… Read more »