Muscle cramps (not to be confused with illness related stomach cramps) are very common and quite painful. They usually happen suddenly and can involve any muscle, but most often the legs and frequently in the middle of the night. Gently stretching the affected...
I took a "class" this weekend from my 22 year old daughter, Beth...Ear Piercing and Gauging Maintenance 101. While visiting her for the Thanksgiving weekend in Lynden, WA, she gave me some basics on the subject that I found useful, and I thought I would pass them on...
I often am required as an urgent care physician to rate the severity of a burn. What constitutes a 1st degree, 2nd degree and 3rd degree burn? Are they treated differently, and what are the potential complications? All burns should be treated immediately with cool...
I have mixed feelings about Black Friday. You know, the day after Thanksgiving that is supposed to be the busiest shopping day of the year, bringing merchants income from the hordes of shoppers looking for that special deal. I am all for stimulating the economy and...
Blood in the urine (hematuria) is alarming, but not necessarily serious and life threatening. Urine usually takes on a darker brown, amber color. At other times it can appear as bright red blood. Irregardless, prompt evaluation by a physician is important. The...
Eczema affects up to 20% of children, and is characterized by dry, red, itchy and /or flaky skin. There are a number of causes, but the most common are food allergies, dust mite sensitivity, sweating, drooling and stress. Cows milk and eggs are the most likely foods...
I get asked frequently how to whether a knee injury is serious or not. While a complete history, thorough examination and imaging studies such as xray and/or MRI of the injured knee are the best way to arrive at the diagnosis, there are a few signs and symptoms that...
"How do I know if a mole is a skin cancer?" This is an important and, unfortunately, frequently asked question. The rate of melanoma, the most serious and aggressive type of skin cancer, is on the rise. It is estimated that 1 in 50 people in the United States will...
I get so tired of the constant assault on the working man (and woman). You know, the responsible citizen who is trying to earn an honest days wage by providing for his or her family, not hanging out and sapping off family, friends or the government. Or the abled...
A common fishing accident is to get a finger stuck with a hook. If the hook is angled and not very deep, this is an effective and painless way to remove it. The key is to pull the hook out the way it came. Note in this video how fishing line is snugly secured to the...