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...
One of the more popular gifts for any family member is a pet. That warm, snugly puppy or playful kitty can bring happiness and joy, and quickly become a member of the family circle. However, every owner should be aware of six infections pets may potentially transmit...
We all occasionally at one time or another get hit with an attack of diarrhea. The most common causes of acute (sudden and short lived) diarrhea are usually from a viral infection or food poisoning. Our bodies are usually able to clear the infection or toxin within...
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...
Antibiotics are most commonly used to treat bacterial infections. Appropriately used, they significantly shorten the duration and severity of disease, and have dramatically helped increase life expectancy in the last century. However, antibiotic use is not without...
The has been a lot of interest recently in the therapeutic benefits of Vitamin D. This interest follows the realization that many adults, especially in northern climates, are D deficient, generally in the winter where there is less sun exposure. With this interest...
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...