Health Tips

Over the course of my career in medicine, I have seen many patients with symptoms of bladder irritation. They are usually convinced that they have a urinary tract or bladder infection. But there are several other things that can cause symptoms of bladder irritation besides infection. In fact, about half…

Breast cancer is the second most common cancer and second most common cause of cancer death among all US women. In 2023, over 43,000 women died of breast cancer. Experts agree that regular mammograms are the best way to find breast cancer early for most patients. Breast cancer screening saves…

Last week, we started our discussion of kidney cancer. Today we are going to focus on those small renal masses that I mentioned last week. What is a small renal mass (SRM)? SRMs are defined as masses in the kidney that are less than 4 centimeters (cm) in diameter. Here…

Kidney cancer is the 8th most common cancer in the US. Almost 75,000 people are diagnosed with this cancer every year. The incidence of kidney cancer seems to be increasing but that may be a false impression. Let’s talk more about this common cancer. What is kidney cancer? It seems…

Yes, research shows that kids do listen to their parents. Even though it may be challenging, talking to your child about alcohol and drugs is important. When you talk to your child about the dangers of alcohol and drug use, you help prepare them to deal with the issue when…

Last week we talked about liver disease caused by fat buildup in the liver, including the causes, risk factors, and symptoms. This is an increasingly common condition that is estimated to affect 9 to 15 million adults in the US, and the prevalence is projected to increase by over 60%…

Liver disease caused by too much fat being deposited in the liver is the most common form of liver disease in the world. People tend to think of liver disease, and especially cirrhosis, as a problem caused by alcohol, but that is not always the case. Liver disease caused by…

As most of you may know, the next total solar eclipse will cross North America on April 8, 2024. A large number of people in the US will be in the path of the total eclipse or will be traveling to see it. Even if you are not in the…

Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer syndrome (HBOC) is a genetic condition that makes it more likely that a person will get breast, ovarian, and other cancers. HBOC is due to a genetic mutation that is inherited within families. It is important for people to know about this condition. What causes…

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. I thought this would be a good time to discuss breast cancer in younger women. Although the incidence of breast cancer in young women is low, it is becoming more common. All women should be aware of this issue. How common is breast cancer…