Pneumonia is a lung infection in which the air sacs, called alveoli, become inflamed and fill with fluid. Bronchitis, on the other hand, is much more common and describes inflammation of the air passageways (trachea and bronchial tubes) going down to the lungs....
Recreational Waterborne Illnesses
Summertime draws area residents and visitors alike for a swim in our beautiful lakes, rivers and pools, to cool off from the daytime heat. While most outings are relaxing and uneventful, waterborne intestinal, respiratory and skin infections can ruin the best...
Causes, Prevention and Treatment of Diaper Rash
Diaper rash is a common problem that many parents face when taking care of their newborns, infants and toddlers. Although certainly not among the Three Common Pediatric Emergencies Requiring Immediate Medical Care, diaper rash is usually caused by prolonged skin...
Fainting
Fainting, or syncope, is the loss of consciousness for a few seconds or more, usually due to either a drop in oxygen and/or blood pressure to the brain. Symptoms of an impending faint usually include a sensation of vision tunneling, blurred vision and/or sudden...
How to Save Money on Prescription Medication
Economics times are tough, and cost of prescription medication can take a significant bite out of one's budget. Many name brand prescriptions cost several hundreds of dollars for one month's supply. Even generics, while still much cheaper than their respective name...
What is a Cold Sore?
Ouch! Once you get a cold sore blister, odds are quite high that it will recur in the same spot over and over again for the rest of your life, sometimes up to a dozen times a year. Known as herpes labialis, it is caused by the same kind of virus that causes genital...
Why am I Losing my Hair?
"Doc, I'm losing clumps of my hair in the shower!" Hair loss, or alopecia, is a common problem that most people will encounter during their lifetime. There are several causes of alopecia, and treaments for these causes can vary. Male Pattern Baldness - Male pattern...
Appendicitis
I saw a patient a few weeks back who was brought in by her dad presenting with a typical medical dilemma...is the patient's abdominal pain appendicitis or not? Unfortunately, there is usually not an obvious answer; the diagnosis is usually made by reviewing a...