Quantcast
   
Tuesday - March 19, 2024
 

Acupuncture: What is it? What is it used for? Does it really work?

March 12th, 2009

Acupuncture is a practice that is over 2500 years old and promotes the natural healing of the body. Those who practice acupuncture explain that there are energy channels called meridians that run through the body. The energy that flows through the meridians is called Qi (chi). If Qi is blocked our energy becomes unbalanced and we can become sick. Using needles at specific acupuncture points (depending on the problem) can unblock the energy and allow the Qi to flow normally. Recent studies using functional MRI brain scans have found that when specific acupuncture points are stimulated on the body,... Read More

The Heart of the Matter

February 13th, 2009

I can hardly believe that this is the third February in a row that I\’m writing this column! If you\’ve been with us from the beginning, or if you\’ve read some of our past medical columns, then you\’ll know what\’s coming next. February is not only the month of Valentine\’s Day, but also American Heart Month. (You can celebrate both by eating dark chocolate!) In keeping with those themes, and given how extraordinarily important it is for you to know about and understand how heart disease affects, and is different in, women, this month\’s column will be... Read More

The Problem of New Year\’s Resolutions/Reminder about Cervical Health

January 13th, 2009

New Years Resolutions are a set up. We all tend to set lofty goals for ourselves, and eventually we break them (usually within the first month). Keeping that in mind, I have decided to take a new direction. I suggest you do the same. How about making resolutions that you can keep? These are the ones I propose: I will: Take at least one spontaneous trip this year Eat one hot fudge sundae and not feel guilty (this is a good one!) Make a new friend Try to learn to speak a new language Go to the movies once a month Laugh at least 10 times a day. Try and find things that are fun and do-able... Read More

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month

October 14th, 2008

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. This important initiative, and organization by the same name ( NBCAM), was started over two decades ago to raise awareness about breast cancer in all women and their families. Over the years, the organization has evolved and made all issues related to breast cancer of year-round importance. NBCAM is comprised of professional medical associations – such as the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the American College of Radiology, and the American College of Clinical Oncology; government agencies – such as the Centers for Disease... Read More

THE EYES HAVE IT: EYE CARE IN MIDLIFE WOMEN

September 12th, 2008

The month of September, possibly more than any other month of the year, always elicits vivid memories. Back to school, new notebooks and pencils, new outfits that simply must be in the fashion-of-the-moment (remember Papagallo shoes?!), football season, marching band practice, and of course, a back-to-school checkup. And included in that checkup was always the eye chart with those huge letters which inevitably led to stronger glasses and, happily one year, contact lenses. But since our eyes stop changing sometime in our teens and are stable until one day we realize we ‘re holding the newspaper... Read More

Natural Travel Trip-Bits

August 11th, 2008

August is a month reserved for traveling by many people. With the price of gas as high as it is, some may be doing away with road trips, and opting to travel to faraway places by boat, train, or airplane. I want to give you some tips for a few pesky symptoms that may arise from such travel, and that do not necessarily require a prescription. But first, a few general “musts” you should know before going anywhere. General Travel “Musts” • If you are traveling out of the United States, find out about any immunizations, or treatment, you may need before you go. Some countries require you... Read More

No more excuses, it is time to get out there and walk
and eat a healthy diet

July 16th, 2008

Warm weather has finally arrived, and so it is time to get walking and watch your intake of calories. Take advantage of locally grown fruits and veggies and eat lean protein such as fish and organic chicken. Getting to a body mass index in the normal range is important. Body mass index is a number that is derived using an equation that takes into account your height and weight. The body mass index (BMI) is also tied to risk for disease. A body mass index between 25 and 30 is considered overweight. Thirty and over is considered to be obese. A woman who is 5\’2” and weighs 140 pounds has... Read More

AWARENESS

April 14th, 2008

We\’re going to talk about breast cancer this month. Given that in recent years, such a good job has been done in general to make all of us aware of this disease, you may be wondering what I can possibly say in this column that you haven\’t already heard. That\’s the point – we simply cannot hear too much about it. If not for ourselves, then for our friends, for the younger generations–our daughters and nieces–and for the older generations–our mothers and aunts. We need to remind them (and ourselves) that prevention and early detection are the keys to staying healthy,... Read More

Are you sneezing and wheezing?

March 11th, 2008

Spring is filled with flowers, green grass, and for some…sneezing, wheezing and runny eyes and noses! The most likely cause of spring allergies is tree pollen. However, mold and animal dander can also be contributing. How can you know for sure? Get allergy tested. If your doctor can pinpoint the cause of your symptoms, the therapy can be tailored to what you need. Treatment could involve allergy shots or medications that can help you to avoid a lot of grief. How can you tell the difference between allergies and a cold? Both can cause a runny nose and eyes, but a cold usually has fever, aches... Read More

Heart of Glass

February 15th, 2008

This could just be one of the worst months of the year, particularly if you don\’t like cold and snow, saved only by Valentine\’s Day – that sweet and corny holiday. I\’ve always loved it, mainly because it seems to bring out affection in even the most undemonstrative people. So, just like last year, I\’m going to discuss in this column that ubiquitous symbol of this holiday, the heart. Also, in case you didn\’t know, the American Heart Association, as part of the “Go Red for Women” movement, has designated February 1 as “National Wear Red... Read More