News and Updates

Reviewed by Cara Barrett, PA-C, MCHS Heart disease is the number one cause of death among men and women in the United States. Over 695,000 Americans die from heart disease each year. Heart disease affects all ages, genders, and ethnicities. Everyone needs to know the facts about heart disease and how to prevent it. Risk factors for heart disease The key risk factors for heart disease include: high blood pressure high blood cholesterol smoking According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, about half of the people in the United States (47%) have at least one of the three

Regular eye exams are important in protecting your vision and contributing to your overall health. Eye diseases are very common and often go unnoticed; some do not have any symptoms in their early stages. Eye exams allow your doctor to discover eye diseases early and protect your vision long-term. Common eye problems Cataracts – clouding of the lens, this is the leading cause of vision loss in the United States Diabetic retinopathy – causes damage to the blood vessels in the back of the eye, this is the leading cause of blindness in the United States Glaucoma – a group

During the winter months your skin can become dry and lack moisture due to colder weather and low humidity. Dry skin is common and can contribute to itching, flaking and eczema flares. You want your skin to be as healthy as possible, especially during colder weather. A healthy skin barrier can contribute to your overall health and wellness. What is healthy skin?Healthy skin can mean different things for different people. Generally, healthy skin is smooth, soft and even in texture, without flaking or peeling. Your skin can become dry when it does not have enough moisture. The cold weather in

November is National Diabetes Month. Making healthy choices during the holiday season can be difficult for anyone. For people with diabetes, it can be even harder. Traveling, stress, and food-filled celebrations can disrupt people’s self-management of their diabetes. Handling the holiday season with diabetes starts with being realistic. Do everything you can to make healthy choices but be aware that you cannot control everything when you’re living with diabetes. Make a plan Diabetes is personal. Go into the holiday season with an awareness of the foods you may encounter and how they will affect you. If you plan to have

Hot flashes, night sweats, insomnia, mood swings, irritability, brain fog: these are some of the most common symptoms of perimenopause and menopause. Even though the average age of menopause is 51, many women start having these symptoms in their early 40s and for some, they may continue for 10 years after menopause. In the past, many women simply accepted these symptoms as a part of aging. Now, I am excited to see women speaking up and looking for solutions. Attitudes are also changing about hormone replacement therapy. In the past, women focused on the risks and avoided treatments that could

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a time to promote screening and prevention of the disease. Breast cancer is the second most common type of cancer in women in the United States. About one in eight American women will develop breast cancer during her lifetime. Fortunately, if detected and treated early, the 5-year survival rate is 99%. Understanding breast health and breast cancer will help women know how to reduce their own risk. Signs & Symptoms Nipple tenderness or a lump in or near the breast or underarm Change in skin texture of the breast such as dimpling or thickening

An annual exam with your gynecologist is considered a routine part of health maintenance for women, similar to visiting once per year with your primary care provider. The goal of this visit is to make sure your women’s health needs are addressed on a regular basis, to complete a breast and pelvic examination if indicated, and to update your screening tests for female cancers. Although this visit can provoke anxiety for lots of people, your gynecologist is here to treat you in the most professional and comfortable way possible. In order to decrease some of this anxiety, it is important

Reviewed by Cara Barrett, PA-C, MCHS Heart disease is the number one cause of death among men and women in the United States. Over 600,000 Americans die from heart disease each year. Heart disease affects all ages, genders, and ethnicities. Everyone needs to know the facts about heart disease and how to prevent it. Risk factors for heart disease The key risk factors for heart disease include high blood pressure high blood cholesterol smoking According to the American Heart Association, about half of the people in the United States (47%) have at least one of the three risk factors listed