Sickle cell disease (SCD) is the most common inherited blood disorder in the US. It affects more than 100,000 people in the US and 20 million people worldwide. You have probably heard it called sickle cell anemia. It is a lifelong condition that can lead to multiple serious health problems….
May is National Mental Health Awareness Month. Mental Health Awareness Month has been observed in May in the United States since 1949. Nearly 44 million American adults and millions of children experience mental health conditions each year, including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and post-traumatic stress. This week, I thought…
Screening mammograms are a vital tool in detecting breast cancer early. Early detection significantly improves the chances of successful treatment and can mean less invasive treatments are required. The United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) regularly reviews and updates guidelines to ensure the best possible care for patients. May…
Sleep is essential for our physical and mental health, and the quality of sleep is just as important as the quantity. Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep is a crucial stage of sleep that has numerous benefits for our overall health and well-being. Let’s talk about the benefits and importance of…
I love this time of year when we can start getting fresh local produce or growing our own. With the typical choices available, which vegetables or fruits should you eat to have the healthiest diet? The answer is simple: eat as many different colors as you can. The more vibrantly…
Mindful walking, sometimes called walking meditation, has been studied over the last several decades. Research indicates that it can help improve multiple physical and psychological or emotional symptoms, and significantly improve your health. Let’s talk more about why you should be doing it. What is mindful walking? Essentially, this is…
I’m sure you have all heard the rumor that gas stoves are going to be banned. The uproar surrounding those rumors was significant. To clarify the rumors, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced that it is only planning to collect public comments on the stoves and is not considering…
We will wrap up our discussion of traumatic brain injuries (TBI) this week by discussing things that we can do to help prevent these injuries. How can traumatic brain injuries be prevented? We cannot prevent all brain injuries, but there are things that you can do to help reduce the…
This week, we will continue our discussion of brain injuries with a discussion of the diagnosis and treatment of traumatic brain injury (TBI). How are TBIs diagnosed? Remember that TBIs can be emergencies. Severe brain injuries can worsen rapidly if not treated appropriately and quickly. Doctors need to make a…
Let’s continue our discussion of brain injury. In Part I, we talked about some functions of the brain, defined some terms that apply to brain injuries, and talked about some common causes of acquired brain injuries. Today we will talk more specifically about TBIs including concussion. How does the brain…