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Is Drinking Water Over-rated?

Is Drinking Water Over-rated?

dc John via Flickr

Every 5 years or so, the general physician has to help patients unravel the truth about the latest “drinkable” beverage trend.

Whether it’s the astronaut’s favorite orange drink, or one of the myriad of sodas (aka pop), diet,  zero or regular, a powdered adult kool-aid like product to mix into good ole’ water, or more recently, all the “energy drinks”.

The billion dollar…

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Can You Get Your Pap While on Your Period?

Can You Get Your Pap While on Your Period?

© sherrie smith | Dreamstime Stock Photos

Would you get a pap during your period?

For most women, the answer would be an emphatic no just for the “eww” factor alone.

I was particularly good at cajoling my female patients to get their pap done TODAY when they came in for other concerns.

My charge for killing two birds with one stone on the same clinic visit  while saving the expense of another…

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This Should be in Your Radar

This Should be in Your Radar

Women are terrified of breast cancer. And rightfully so. It is the most common type of cancer in women. What about colorectal cancer? Not so much.

Screening rate for breast cancer is 72.4% versus 58.8% for colorectal cancer according to 2010 CDC data. Colorectal cancer kills women too. (more…)

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When Your Chest Pain is Not a Heart Attack

When Your Chest Pain is Not a Heart Attack

manitou2121 via Flickr

You have probably had your share of health scares. You find out that a relative or neighbor just got diagnosed with a life threatening condition and all of a sudden you start experiencing some worrisome symptoms that makes you wonder if you have the same condition.

After hours of “googling” you come to the conclusion that you have a terminal disease and this fear makes you…

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How to Create a Healthy, Effective Morning Routine

Becoming a healthier, happier you means making a commitment to yourself—there’s no better time than the present! Building a morning routine can help you make the most out of each day. Your morning should serve as the foundation to a productive day, so taking the time to create a detailed morning routine can pay off in a big way. Consider incorporating these great habits and reap the benefits.

Ma…

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Flu Shots- The Questions No One Is Asking

katerba via Flickr

You have yours, I have mine. Everybody has them. We all have things that other people do that drive us up the wall. Can you tell that I am about to go on a little rant here?

Coming close after drivers making a turn or a lane change without turning on their blinkers would be (more…)

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5 Secrets Your Teeth Reveal About You Your daily habits, both the good and the bad leave clues on your body. If you exercise and eat well, a leaner physique is the clue it leaves behind, if you don't sleep well, there might be dark circles around your eyes.

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Is There a Place for Faith in Medicine?

Is There a Place for Faith in Medicine?

Flickr via Guppydas

Nearly 20 years ago, as a 4th year medical student, I researched and presented a paper about the power of prayer in medicine and healthcare.

I was pleasantly surprised that back then as now, the vast majority of patients welcome prayers for their health from friends and family members.

In fact, when asked, the majority want their  treating doctors and nurses caring for their…

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Does a Gluten-Free Diet Make Sense For You? Gluten-free diet is the current fad. It all of a sudden became the bad boy of food- as if it were trans-fat or pink slime.

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Fool’s Gold – Should You be Taking Vitamins? One of the most frequently asked questions in the primary care doctor's office is “Should I take vitamins?”

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5 Signs it’s Time to Take the Car Keys From Mom

5 Signs it’s Time to Take the Car Keys From Mom

bigbirdz

There comes a point in time when you have to step in and take the car keys from mom or dad. It feels like grounding a misbehaving teen and your parents feel hurt and humiliated by this.

They feel a loss of independence and a blow to their sense of dignity. (more…)

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Backed Up!

Alexander Ekman via Flickr

It is very common for adults to struggle with constipation issues- especially us ladies. There are usually several NON mortal issues that contribute to this slow and hard stool issue, but whatever the triggers, conditions leading up to it, many resort to over the counter laxatives to give them some literal relief. (more…)

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When Was Your Last Laugh?

When Was Your Last Laugh?

buckethandle via Flickr

When was the last time you laughed? A good ‘ol hearty laugh. Was it 3 hours ago, was it yesterday or was it months ago?

When you had your last laugh is a window into the state of your mind.

(more…)

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What Worries Your Doctor (part 2)

What Worries Your Doctor (part 2)

COM SALUD via Flickr

The other concern I have that actually more serious is our antibiotic crisis. CRISIS is the proper word as everyday our fight against highly evolving bacteria is getting weaker.

Historically, the medical and scientific community changed that tide of sure death less than 70 years ago with the creation of safe and powerful antibiotics, starting with penicillin, but in that same…

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5 Issues to Consider Before Going on Estrogen

5 Issues to Consider Before Going on Estrogen

藍川芥 aikawake via Flickr

The medical community can’t seem to make up their mind on hormone replacement therapy for treatment of hot flashes. The pendulum has swung from “save women from themselves by giving them estrogen” to “estrogen will kill you” and that pendulum is still swinging as we speak! (more…)

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What Worries Your Doctor (Part 1)

What Worries Your Doctor (Part 1)

There are really only 2 things that worry me about the state of medicine-

1. shortage of physicians (especially in primary care)

2. Antibiotic crisis

The numbers are clear- We have known for at least 15 years that the ongoing shortage of physicians in primary care cannot be sustained longer, especially with even more Americans covered than ever before. (more…)

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4 Tips to Become a Healthier, Happier You

4 Tips to Become a Healthier, Happier You

藍川芥 aikawake via Flickr

The modern age is full of temptations in all fields, including the sphere of healthy life. In some way, all of us are trying to lead a healthier and happier life, or at least we want it to be like that. There are many tips that tell us how to do something, but it is difficult to allocate the best ones that we are able to follow.

If you want to feel happier and healthier…

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