What are the most common ailments those over 65 share? To answer that question, we turned to gerontologist Gregory Pecchia, DO, FACOFP, from Eisenhower Medical Center which was recognized as “high performing in the area of Geriatrics” in the latest U.S. News & World Report Best Hospitals rankings. Dr. Pecchia has been practicing in the… Read more »
The thyroid gland has many roles and responsibilities in the body. A minor shift in optimal thyroid health can have significant effects on the entire body, including the ability to conceive and maintain a pregnancy. When an otherwise healthy couple struggles to conceive, a simple adjustment to thyroid function can drastically improve fertility and pregnancy… Read more »
We all know the holiday season can be very stressful, particularly on parents of young children. Even the youngest children can feel the strains of the season. The Growing Healthy Minds initiative, part of First 5 Riverside’s commitment to the county’s youngest children and their families, offers help with resources, support and services to promote… Read more »
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), or autism as it is generally termed, is a group of complex brain disorders in development with various severity levels and conditions. The Centers for Disease Control reported that 1 in 68 children have some form of Autism.1 This is a 10-fold increase over 40 years ago. This skyrocketing statistic has… Read more »
First 5 Riverside (Riverside County Children & Families Commission) has launched a program to help child care providers throughout the county improve nutrition, physical activity and family habits through free training and materials. Working with those who care for children throughout the day, the program aims to help create healthy habits for babies, toddlers and… Read more »
One main health concern for parents of babies and toddlers is whether their kids are receiving an adequate and nutritionally balanced diet. Parents have many dietary questions, such as when to introduce solids, appropriate food choices for baby, and the correct protein and nutritional needs of a toddler. There is not one perfect way to… Read more »
Being a teen can be challenging, especially when you consider outside influences such as magazine covers and the desire to fit in with peers. Building on the success of a program she taught at the University of British Columbia, local yoga instructor Susan Alexander has developed a workshop for teens and tweens to address issues… Read more »
Palm Desert High School’s Health Academy is in its fourth year, providing a three-year “school within a school” focusing on health careers. Internships, which introduce students to the medical field in a workplace environment, are a significant part of the program. Students are introduced to the skills and value of work while making connections between… Read more »
“Sometimes I wonder what am I gonna do—‘Cause there ain’t no cure for the summertime blues” With the days in the Coachella Valley now longer and warmer, some of you might find yourself feeling somewhat down, depressed and irritable; you are not alone! You may be suffering from the summer variant of Seasonal Affective Disorder… Read more »
Exercise promotes health. It also makes us feel good. We should keep our body active. That is the theory. But doing so takes work and perseverance. With advancing years, the degree of effort increases exponentially. What was easy when we were younger is now more challenging than we care to admit – and yes, often… Read more »
Preparing your body for pregnancy is ideal for any individual deciding to become a parent. In today’s world we are exposed to more chemicals than ever before; our food lacks the nutritional value it once had; and many, many more individuals complain of hormone imbalances. And these common factors have all been linked to chronic… Read more »
Awareness surrounding the use and benefits of probiotics has exploded in recent years. If people aren’t seeking an oral probiotic at their local health foods store, they are reading the back of yogurt labels in search of active cultures. Further, fermented foods such as pickles, sauerkraut, and kimchi (kimchee) have seen their popularity increase due… Read more »
Kids and teens from the Boys & Girls Club of Indio are learning about gardening and nutrition through hands-on experience. Last summer, they worked with Marriott International and the University of California Cooperative Extension to build raised garden boxes which they filled with seedlings. This year, they expanded their gardens to add a larger… Read more »
The desire to write can emerge in any phase of life, and it deepens as the years advance. As the decision to write is made and the process evolves, memories become a catharsis of remembrance and feelings. The experience is wonderful and expanding. Writing is a powerful tool for self-discovery and for learning in general.… Read more »
Stalingrad 1942 was one of the most savage battles in military history. My father, a reluctant German infantry soldier (the other option would have been execution) was wounded and sent back from the front. That saved his life and for me, the guide of my life. He never talked about what it was like. Except… Read more »
Dear Dr. Kato:My wife is 77 years old. She is having increasing problems with her balance and has fallen several times. I’m very concerned that something serious may happen. Is this vertigo? Dear Reader: Balance disorders are common in the elderly, not only resulting in distressing sensations, but also leading to reduced activity levels and… Read more »
Facing challenges and problem solving are strengths that Madelina Agawin has relied upon since she was a young woman, and they have formed the complex mosaic of who she is as a person today. Early on, Madelina’s father instilled in her the importance of education and being disciplined in her approach to achieving her goals.… Read more »
For the seventh consecutive year, residents in the Coachella Valley can enjoy the benefits of swim lessons or open swim passes at no charge, thanks to a $55,000 grant from Kaiser Permanente to the Desert Recreation District. Scholarships for swim lessons, open swim passes and Jr. Lifeguard Programs will be awarded to local residents as… Read more »
Palm Springs High School Academy of Learning Medicine (PALM) students are learning skills not often seen in the traditional classroom, thanks to advisory meetings with local business partners. With input from local health care practitioners, PALM staff members have incorporated lessons into their curriculum which emphasize career-related soft skills, such as verbal communication and presentation… Read more »
In Berlin, when I was 6 years young, my mother took me to the opera “Hansel and Gretel” by Engelbert Humperdinck (1812), based on the Brothers Grimm fairytale. It held many wonders for the musical imagination. My grandfather was a signal trumpeter with the Ulan cavalry under Emperor Wilhelm. My uncle Otto played the contra… Read more »