2011 is coming to a close, and the new year is upon us. With the start of the new year comes the realization that, for those of us with catastrophic medical insurance policies, our deductible period starts all over again. These policies have out of pocket costs of...
A ganglion cyst is a common, non cancerous growth that typically occurs over the tendons and joints of the wrist, hand, fingers and feet. It is unclear what causes them, although trauma occasionally precedes formation. They are filled with a gelatinous substance and,...
A sty is an bump on the eyelid, usually caused by a blocked eyelash gland that has gotten infected. It is especially common in children, and typically causes a scratching sensation when opening and closing the eye. It can frequently be treated at home without...
The thyroid is a gland in the front portion of your neck which generates a hormone that helps your body produce energy. Approximately 10% of adults will develop an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) some time during their life. The risk of hypothyroidism is...
Believe it or not, this is a very common problem in small children. A child who complains of one-sided foul smelling nasal discharge and/or a nose bleed without the typical cold symptoms will oftentimes have a foreign body lodged up inside his/her nostril. Generally,...
Many of us travel during the holiday season, either by plane, car or train. Frequently the trips are quite long, which puts us at risk for developing a deep venous thrombosis (DVT).A DVT is a blood clot that forms in a vein, blocking blood flow and causing swelling,...
Christmas Eve 2011. Amidst the hustle and bustle of last minute holiday shopping, I am in a reflective mood. So much to be thankful for. In seasons past, I would get all wrapped up in the frenzy of gift buying, parties and decorating that I forgot what the true...
Diabetes mellitus is a common condition where the body has a difficult time moving glucose, a unit of energy, from the bloodstream to the cells. This occurs predominantly because insulin, the hormone that helps in this transport, is either defective (type 2/non...
Plantar fasciitis is a common, painful condition of the foot. It is caused by inflammation of the arch where it inserts into the heel. Sometimes a heel spur forms at this site. Initial treatment includes stretches and icing (see my Facebook post and article reference...
Antiinflammatory steroids are commonly used for many conditions ranging from asthma to sciatica, from rheumatoid arthritis to inflammatory bowel disease. They can be given in an IV or as a shot, taken orally, given as a suppository, applied topically or inhaled into...