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Diabetic Retinopathy
As we get older, our risk of developing certain eye conditions such as cataracts, glaucoma, and age-related macular degeneration increases. To catch these conditions early enough, it’s highly recommended that you see your optometrist for regular eye examinations. If you’re someone who happens to have an underlying medical condition, such as type I or type II diabetes, then eye exams are all the more crucial for you due to the changes that can occur in your eyes as a direct result of being diabetic. One example of a diabetes-related complication is something known as diabetic retinopathy – also known as diabetic eye disease; a condition in which damage occurs to…
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Corticosteroids
Corticosteroids come in many different forms. They can be taken orally, used topically, inhaled, or even injected. Additionally, are also known as being systemic or localized. Systemic steroids are typically delivered orally, via IV, or intramuscularly, and work by moving through the blood; whereas localized steroids target a specific part of the body and are usually applied topically through things like skin creams, eye or ear drops, and inhalers. In many cases, corticosteroids are often only taken for a short-term basis due to their many and sometimes unusual (and even sometimes severe) side effects. However, if your physician has prescribed a corticosteroid to you, then he or she has determined…
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Understanding Cholesterol
Cholesterol is made by your liver and is a type of fat that is found in your blood. We also get cholesterol from some of the foods we eat, such as high-fat foods, which can lead to health problems – something we’ll talk about more. As we age, it’s important to have your cholesterol levels checked regularly – though trying to interpret what your cholesterol numbers mean can sometimes be confusing, which is why it’s important to know about terms like LDL and HDL, as well as which foods are good and which are bad when it comes to ensuring your cholesterol levels are where they need to be at…
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Pneumococcal Pneumonia
There are many different types of pneumonia – a very serious infection affecting the lungs – that individuals can be diagnosed with. These include hospital-acquired pneumonia, community-acquired pneumonia, walking pneumonia, viral or bacterial pneumonia, and fungal pneumonia. There is also a type of pneumonia known as pneumococcal pneumonia, which is considered to be the most common type of bacterial-related pneumonia that individuals are diagnosed with. It is caused by bacteria living in the upper respiratory tract, and can be spread from something as simple as coughing. Along with invading the lungs, the bacteria can also invade the bloodstream (resulting in a condition known as bactereemia) in addition to invading the…
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What is ARFID?
As a physician, eating healthy is something that I encourage all of my patients to do. Food plays a vital role in our overall wellbeing and can impact our health in a number of different ways, from how we feel internally to how we look externally. Among the most common health conditions that can occur as a result of poor eating habits include obesity and diabetes. These are two conditions that are often linked to consumption of junk food (i.e. foods that are high in calories, sugar and fat) and making generally poor meal choices on a consistent basis. However, there is one particular eating disorder that can make healthy…
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What is Melatonin and Why Do We Need It?
Made by the pea-sized pineal gland, melatonin is a type of natural hormone (often referred to as the “sleep hormone”) that helps regulate your circadian rhythm and tells your body when it’s time to go to sleep and when to wake up. While many people don’t have any issue getting to sleep at night, there are other individuals who might have a hard time falling or staying asleep, which is also commonly referred to as insomnia – and if you happen to be one of those people, then your body may need additional melatonin, which can be obtained through taking a melatonin supplement. Aside from treating insomnia, melatonin has also…
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Why Mobility is Important for your Health
When you think of the word mobility, you probably associate it with exercise – but staying mobile doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to engage in vigorous exercise. As a family physician, I always recommend that my patients live as active of lifestyles as possible, which can include a variety of things. In this article you will learn about the different ways in which you can stay mobile, the positive ways in which mobility impacts you and your health, and the risks that are associated with living a sedentary lifestyle. How mobile you are or can be will sometimes depend on age. If you’re a teenager or young adult who…
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Exercise for the Mind and Body
Exercise is one of the best ways to keep both your mind and body healthy. Not only can it relieve emotional stress and ease tension, but it can also improve your overall health and wellbeing. Among some of the best types of excise for your mind and body include cardio workouts, workouts that focus on flexibility, core workouts, and workouts that focus on strength. Below is a more in-depth look at each of these types of exercises and how they target your body. Cardio Cardio exercise comes in many different forms – from running/jogging to cycling, swimming, and even using gym equipment such as the stair master or elliptical. There’s…
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Solutions to Sleep Disruption
According to several different studies over the years, it is estimated that 88% of people between the ages of 18 and 55 are not getting the recommended amount of sleep that they need. While how much sleep you need typically depends on age, it is suggested that we get anywhere from 8 to 9 hours of sleep each night on average. Sleep deprivation not only leaves you feeling fatigued and moody the next day, but it can also result in an increased risk of health problems, including respiratory disease, weight gain, and even type 2 diabetes. As for why you might not be getting enough sleep, there are many contributing…
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Itchy Skin and Underlying Medical Conditions
Itchy skin can often be blamed on one thing: Dry skin – and while this is something that is much more common in the colder seasons (i.e. winter and fall), other people can be prone to dry skin and experience it year-round. Regardless, it’s always recommended that you use a moisturizer to keep your skin hydrated – even if it’s on the oiler side – as well as exfoliate and cleanse your skin regularly to keep it as healthy as possible. There are also other skin conditions, such as eczema and psoriasis, that are associated with dry skin, and you may also develop some other symptoms such as scaling, flakiness,…