Changing Pain to Comfort

In mid-July, I had rotator cuff surgery on my left shoulder. Leading up to the surgery, I was fascinated by how the surgeon cautioned me about managing the pain, and he gave me three different pain prescriptions. Everyone I talked to said, “Oh, that’s going to hurt!” And since the surgery, people frequently ask about… Read more »

Tending to Our Tendons

As we become more active, our bodies become more susceptible to overuse and injury. In particular, our tendons, which are involved in muscle movement, are easily damaged. Tendons are the fibrous connective tissues that attach a bone to a muscle. Many movements involve pulling on a tendon for the desired muscle to contract.  Tendinopathy is… Read more »

Addressing Women’s Sexual Health

Viagra is practically a household name. It’s easy to talk about Viagra and Cialis for erectile dysfunction. It’s not as easy to talk openly about women’s sexual health issues. But certain conditions or phases of life can affect a woman’s ability to feel sexy or even enjoy sex. I want women to feel comfortable discussing… Read more »

Championing the Fight Against Prostate Cancer

ZERO – The End of Prostate Cancer is bringing the first-ever virtual celebration for prostate cancer to the Coachella Valley on Saturday, September 19 at 9 a.m. Community members are invited to head outside prior to the event, and then head online this day for an inspiring event that will show the love to local… Read more »

The COVID-19 Hearing Loss Crisis

The coronavirus emergency has made life more dangerous and difficult for people worldwide. However, the extraordinary challenges experienced by the hearing impaired and deaf populations have not been addressed adequately to date by the media. Listening is defined as an “active or intentional behavior involving the brain’s ability to decode and process communication.”1 Affecting approximately… Read more »

Memory Decline or Dementia

Is It Age-Related Memory Decline or Dementia?

As we age, it is common to experience memory loss. It’s also common to question whether these events are simply due to age or if dementia is setting in. Fortunately, assessments are available to help answer this question. Age-related changes in the brain can be documented on imaging such as changes in brain blood flow… Read more »

knee arthritis

Treatment Options for Knee Arthritis

Take a moment to appreciate how often we use our knees. We use them every day whether we’re playing our favorite sport, going up the stairs at home, or simply walking around our neighborhood. As we age, our bodies start feeling the wear and tear of our joints, known as osteoarthritis. It’s estimated that roughly… Read more »

Varicose veins

Dispelling Myths about Varicose Veins

Varicose veins are enlarged serpentine veins underneath the skin of the legs. Whether your family has a history of varicose veins or you have only just discovered them, it is important to know the facts and what they could mean in the bigger picture of your health.  Here are the facts to some common myths… Read more »

Child looking at computer

Online Learning: The New Educational Medium?

In 2020, not only has technology proven to be a vital resource in business, educational and governmental environments, it continues to serve as another potential replacement to jobs that were once firmly secured by a warm human brain. It was once thought that teachers could never be replaced. From the relationships they develop with their… Read more »

Your Health Matters - with Janet Zappala

Defining Our Response to Stress in Defining Times

st, we learn how much we’re able to handle – mentally, emotionally and physically. The coronavirus pandemic has caused nearly insurmountable amounts of stress for almost every human being on the planet. Knowing that, alone, is stressful, but it’s what we do in times like these that will define us forever.  Normally, when we experience… Read more »

Desert Healthcare District Foundation

Healthcare District Launches COVID-19 Resource Center

The Desert Healthcare District (DHCD) has launched an online resource for local residents offering information on programs and services available during the coronavirus crisis. From food distribution and rental assistance to testing sites and small business loans, the webpage is available in both English and Spanish, and is being translated into Purépecha, the indigenous language… Read more »

Novel Therapy for Early Stage Lung Cancer

Lung cancer is the second most common cancer in the United States. It accounts for approximately one out of every five malignancies in men and one out of nine malignancies in women. The average age at diagnosis is 70 years old. Over the past decade, the overall incidence of lung cancer has decreased due to… Read more »

HARC Releases 2019 Community Health Data

This past March, Health Assessment and Research for Communities (HARC), which has been tracking our community’s health for the past 14 years, released their latest data on the well-being and quality of life for Coachella Valley residents.  While the global pandemic is certain to change these 2019 statistics, the information obtained on hundreds of topics… Read more »

Out of the Darkness, Into the Light

This year, an incredible young man came into my life. While I have yet to meet him personally, I can confidently say he is an extremely accomplished and compassionate human being. Peter Li is a spokesperson, author and inspirational speaker. He has written and produced an award-winning movie, attended the Emmys and published a book.… Read more »

Insomnia

The Insomnia Complaint

“I have difficulty falling asleep,” “I wake up frequently and cannot easily go back to sleep” and “I wake up too early in the morning” are by far the most common sleep disturbance complaints we hear in sleep medicine. When accompanied by daytime consequences of fatigue, tiredness, lassitude and foggy thinking, the diagnosis is insomnia. … Read more »