It is a common misconception that drugs and alcohol are the only offending substances to cause addictions. Many of us battle something during our lifetime that can become an unhealthy preoccupation, whether it be with drugs, money, pornography, food, gambling,...
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...
Heartburn is a common ailment, affecting most of us some time during our lives. Medically known as acid reflux, this condition may cause serious health problems, especially if it occurs on a frequent or regular basis. Potential complications of reflux include bleeding...
Giardia is a parasite that can cause intestinal symptoms in an infected person. Symptoms such as diarrhea, bloating, belching, gas and cramps that occur while camping or traveling in a third world country are highly suspicious of giardiasis. Outbreaks at daycare...
Why is depression and, in severe cases suicide, more common during the holiday season? You would think that with all the celebration, a "blue mood" would be much less likely. Mental health specialists speculate that there are a variety of factors that contribute to...
Heart disease continues to kill a large number of Americans each year. The most common type is due to blockages in one or more heart arteries, known as coronary artery disease (CAD). Listed below are the major risk factors for heart disease as well as what you can...
Impact to the head can cause a "brain bruise", or concussion. Only about 10% of people who have a concussion actually get knocked out, while most will have other symptoms which occur alone or in combination. Common complaints include headache, dizziness, confusion,...
What common medical conditions are associated with obesity? This is an important question, because if a condition is not recognized and treated, your best efforts at losing weight may be futile. As briefly mentioned in yesterday's blog, six common conditions...
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...
"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...