Fall is the time of year for getting our flu shots. I’ve had mine every year since I started medical school in 1985. I hope that you will all plan to get your flu shots this year. Why do you need a flu shot every year? There are 2 main…
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Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) is a bacterial disease spread through the bite of an infected tick. It is one of the deadliest tick-borne diseases in the Western Hemisphere. Early recognition and treatment are keys to successful recovery. How common is RMSF? It is relatively rare. There are usually fewer…
Lyme disease is the most commonly reported tick-borne disease in the U.S. It is caused by a bacteria called Borrelia burgdorferi. The name Lyme disease came from the location in which it was originally identified, Lyme, Connecticut. It can become a very serious infection if not treated, but most cases…
Last week, we talked about tick bites. Today we will focus on ways to protect yourself from ticks and the diseases they carry. Where do ticks live? Ticks live in grassy, brushy, or wooded areas, or sometimes on animals. They prefer areas that are humid, and protected from the hot…
Tick bites are common this time of year. Some tick bites can be harmless, but some can infect you with serious, potentially deadly, diseases. As the climate is getting warmer, the “tick season” is becoming more year-round across the United States. Let’s talk about what you need to know about…
Thanks to a new regulation passed by the FDA, you will soon be able to purchase FDA-certified hearing aids from any major retailer that sells them. This could happen as early as mid-October. Let’s talk about what this means for those who use or need hearing aids and how it…
The answer is yes. New research suggests that a light, 2-minute walk after eating can help lower blood sugar and reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes. What does the research show? As little as 2-5 minutes of light-intensity slow walking was enough to cause a significant drop in…
Monday, August 1st was World Lung Cancer Day, which reminded me that we haven’t talked about the latest lung cancer screening guidelines. Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in the U.S, for both women and men, accounting for approximately 22% of cancer deaths. I lost my father…
Last week, we discussed some of the causes of back pain and things that can increase your risk of developing back pain. This week let’s focus more on how back pain is diagnosed and treated as well as what you can do to help prevent it from happening to you….