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September is Healthy Aging Awareness Month. It is an opportunity to promote ways that people can stay healthy as they age. There are many factors that influence healthy aging. Let’s talk more about what we know about healthy aging. What is healthy aging? The Pan American Health Organization defines healthy…

Last week we talked about sickle cell disease (SCD), including the symptoms and complications as well as how it is inherited. This week, we will continue our discussion by talking about how the disease is diagnosed and treated. How is SCD diagnosed? A blood test can check for the form…

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…

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…

We are continuing our questions and answers about the COVID vaccines this week with more of the common questions that I hear about the vaccines. Who is currently being hospitalized most often due to COVID-19? Unvaccinated people make up the vast majority of current hospitalizations and death from COVID-19.  A…

The Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) is the largest and oldest international cancer organization dedicated to reducing the global cancer burden.  For the past 20 years, February 4th has been World Cancer Day.  It is a day to bring the world’s attention to cancer and its impact around the…

Drug use, including alcohol and tobacco, is very common in teenagers. Parents have a major role in prevention, they are the strongest influence children have.  Talking to our children at an early age, such as grade school, can help prevent such use and abuse of drugs. To be able to…

Last week we talked about the increasing prevalence of myopia and how too much near focusing, especially too much screen time, can impact myopia.  This week we are going to talk about other eye problems associated with increased screen time, as well as some things that you can do to…

I remember when my mother used to tell me not to sit too close to the TV because it was bad for my eyes.  I used to think that was something she made up, just to get me away from the TV.  It turns out that she was right.  It…

Once you find out that you are pregnant, you may have questions.  One of them might be what to eat and what not to eat during this time.  Pregnant or not, eating a variety of foods is a good way to ensure getting what you need for health.  Pregnancy is…