Latest Stories

As a rule, blood pressure tends to go up after menopause. Many doctors think it has something to do with changing hormones. But there’s another factor adding to the problem… and this is the time of year that the risk could be especially plentiful if you’re not aware of it…

Readily available, far less expensive than medications, and with no side effects, the foods you choose to eat — and not eat — can make the difference between becoming a statistic and living a healthy life. A new study points to one class of food that can dramatically lower your risk for heart disease…

Wildly fluctuating hormones go hand-in-hand with everything from mood swings and hot flashes to night sweats, sleep problems and weight gain. To top it off, most women face a less-than-satisfying sex life thanks to the added bonus of sexual problems. But it doesn’t have to be that way…

Research shows that most cancer patients don’t die from cancer. They die from conditions caused by or related to their cancer. And one of the most dangerous cancer-related risks you need to be aware of is stroke, especially when it comes to these five types of cancer…

Hip pain doesn’t stop at your hips. It can cause debilitating pain in the lower back and knees because your hips simply cannot bear their share of the weight. If you are living with hip pain, even if it seems minor, it’s good to know the cause. Here are four possible reasons for hip pain, and the signs of each…

Like many people, I’ve always had a problem getting enough sleep. Whether it’s falling asleep in the first place or waking up and spending the rest of the night with my mind spinning, it seems like a solid eight or even five hours can be hard to find. Then I discovered clean sleeping…

When I was growing up, my parents were always on one type of diet or another. From Cambridge Shakes to Slim Fast, the grapefruit diet to eating only cabbage soup, if it wasn’t one, it was another. And, no matter what, I remember my mom saying that my dad always lost more weight, faster.

There was a time, in my younger years, when I thought that having a breast implant was just an act of vanity. Then I learned about breast cancer. But these medical devices have a troubled history, to say the least, including fatigue, exhaustion, joint swelling and pain, frequent muscle cramps, fibromyalgia and now, cancer.

Evening snacking is a hard habit to break. It takes willpower to not pour a bowl of cereal at 9 pm. Or finish that whole bowl of popcorn while you catch up on Dancing with the Stars. But sometimes to break a bad habit you need to be reminded why your body is built to eat during the day…

After years of being told what to eat, what not to eat, and even omitting entire food groups, we’re realizing some of these diets are rather extreme. And confusing. If you find yourself overwhelmed about how to eat to avoid disease and live a longer life, scrap the complicated diets and remember two simple rules…

Regular brushing, flossing and visits to your dentist are essential for maintaining oral health. But equally important is your diet. These self-care measures can make a significant difference in promoting dental health, reducing cavities and, most importantly, supporting your overall health.

By now, most people have heard of antioxidants and what these little gems can do for their health. But, just in case you’re still wondering if getting enough antioxidants every day is actually important, let’s do a quick recap on their most important points…

Like a lot of people, I’ve noticed that as I’ve gotten older, my hearing isn’t quite as good as it used to be. In fact, I’m pretty sure that I drive my husband crazy by constantly saying, “What?” and “Can you please talk louder. I can’t hear you!” But I’ve found a little trick to avoid embarrassing moments like these…

When someone is extremely self-absorbed we may say that they think they’re the center of the universe. My dad, on the other hand, prefers saying that they think the sun shines out their backside. Well, you know what? He’s onto something, but UV rays bring disease protection to everyone’s gut…

It’s hard to imagine anyone getting a case of the winter blues with all the holiday hustling and bustling happening, but seasonal affective disorder is estimated to affect as many as 10 million Americans. If the cold grey days get to you, try these comfort foods with nutrients that can combat the winter blues in a very real way.

Fall and winter are seasons of serious indulgence, starting with the holidays… They’re also seasons of serious cold and flu viruses that run rampant this time of year. I hate to break it to you, but what you eat affects your immunity a lot more than you think. In fact, this diet might keep you flu-free…

Every cardiologist in America (including me) had an eye on Philadelphia a couple of weeks ago, and it wasn’t for the Eagles-Patriots game. The results of a major study on the effectiveness of stents and bypass surgery were announced at the annual conference of the American Heart Association — and surgeons are stunned…

Melanoma is a serious form of skin cancer that’s caused when UV rays damage pigment cells in the skin called melanocytes. When melanocytes are damaged, they mutate and start growing rapidly. But the root of skin cancer may be hiding somewhere other than your skin cells — in your hair follicles.

Essential fatty acids found in fish oil have had their ups and downs in health news. First, they were praised for heart health, then dashed for prostate cancer potential, then dashed again on heart disease. But finally, it looks like more studies are coming out that vindicate omega-3s all around…

The evidence is clear: the amount of sleep you get each night is a predictor of your health and of your lifespan. Seven to eight hours is the number you should be shooting for. In fact, numerous studies have enlightened us about the dangers of too little (and too much) sleep. The latest threat? Old bones…

Step into any store, park, mall, or gym and you’ll see immediately that some people walk more slowly while others speed past. And, while you may think that how fast you walk is simply a matter of preference, a new 40 year study by researchers at Duke University says that you should think again.

A Belgian astronomer and mathematician developed this easy-to-calculate ratio between a person’s height and their weight. It’s become an accepted measuring stick for a person’s chances of living a long, healthy life, or of dying young. But BMI, or body mass index, is coming under a lot of fire…

It may surprise you to learn that heart disease is the leading cause of death for people with kidney disease. See, when your kidneys stop working, calcium builds up in your arteries. But a new study shows EDTA chelation could help clear calcium out and prevent many of these deaths…

There’s a wriggly uprising your probably haven’t heard about that at the very least will give you the heebie jeebies and at the worst could make you very ill. That’s because just two years after the first case of eye-invading parasites from cattle were found in humans, they’re back!

Almost everyone has trouble falling asleep or staying asleep, from time to time. Medications we take, stress from the day and a racing mind that just won’t shut down, pain, or irregular sleep habits can be the cause.

The widespread and too often inappropriate use of antibiotics has led to an average of two million antibiotic-resistant infections in the U.S. each year — a number that’s predicted to continue to rise. And, according to a new study, some of the dangers could be lurking in your pet food dish. Here’s why…

There’s a nutrient that’s absolutely essential to keeping muscles strong and healthy. If you’re not getting enough of this, you could be headed down a dark road to chronic illness and a loss of independence. And I’m not just talking about your body, but your brain too. When muscles shrink, so does your brain…

You know what I like most about high-intensity interval training? It packs a serious punch in a short period of time. You can do a 20 to 30 minute session and feel like you got a good workout in for the day. But is the pain worth the gain? Will pushing yourself to the max pay off more in the end?

You might remember the first Pap smear you ever went through. It’s one of the most important things you can do for your health, though none of us look forward to it. Thing is… the Pap test can identify cervical cancer in the early stages — when it’s not too late to save your life. So don’t let age hold you back!

When you go for your yearly checkup, one of the boxes you’ll have to check on their forms is about whether you’re taking hormone therapy drugs. While it does come with some benefits, it’s been discovered that the risk it carries has been dramatically underrepresented…

There’s something nearly all of us are still doing that’s almost as bad as sucking down the old cancer sticks. And it’s more likely to kill you than having high blood pressure or high cholesterol if you don’t stop.

The work you do can have an impact on your risk of developing prostatitis. Based on information from the Urology Specialists of the Carolinas, the professions with the highest risk of prostatitis tend to include these three types of activity…

Breast cancer comes in many variations. One of the primary factors in determining the type is the sensitivity of the tumor cells to estrogen. If a breast tumor is estrogen receptor-positive, estrogen transfers a message to the cells to grow. But we can minimize the activation of receptors a few ways….

Oxidation is a potential problem with all omega-3 sources, not just fish oil. That means your flax oil isn’t safe either. So watch for these tell-tell signs or choose the only omega-3 oil that’s relatively oxidation-proof…

Just when you thought medicine couldn’t get more expensive, there’s a new bank-breaking material slated for the next generation of knee and hip replacements — gold. But this vitamin is a better investment…

The age old advice for wellness is “diet and exercise” and it still holds strong to this day. With diet and exercise you can keep the muscles toned, the cardiovascular system in shape, maintain a healthy weight, and feel great.

Patients often ask me what they should eat to lose weight. I point to healthy protein in instead of empty carbohydrates or unhealthy fats. Because of this, let me share in this article why dietary protein is …

I’m trying to add more superfoods, including salmon, to my diet. This recipe features avocado, which is also a superfood and which just so happens to be one of my favorite foods. And I must confess that I’m not at all opposed to ingesting a smidgen of cream cheese.

In your younger days it seemed important to boost muscle growth for larger, defined muscles. But after 40, it’s more important to exercise your muscles just to keep from losing them. And there’s one exercise that can produce big results…

Summer is one of the most rewarding seasons. But as your appetite for adventure increases, so does your risk for a number of health issues. Here are some common warm weather hazards to look out for, and the best ways to keep them from ruining your summer…

How do we develop and benefit from gratitude as a habit in our lives? Here are 5 proven practices that net amazing results in the hearts and minds of those who practice them..

If there’s one constant about viruses, they’re constant. Always there, usually always mutating to infect us in harsher ways and always striking when you least expect it. That’s why prevention makes sense…

Patients often ask why they’re gaining weight. If you’re eating reasonably and getting some exercise, you have to dig deeper, because there are hundreds of factors that contribute to unwanted weight gain. Here’s how to tackle them…

Ghee is 100 percent butterfat. Butter contains primarily butterfat, but also milk proteins and water. It has a nutty flavor and lots of people consider it a superfood. When you see the benefits, you may too…

Before I provide any diet advice, you can rest assured I’ve researched it, followed it, and experienced the effects of it. And that’s what I’ll share. The rest is up to you.

Your shoulders are such a necessary part of daily life. But over the years they become tight, injured, and immobile. Luckily, there is a simple exercise you can do at home that can keep the shoulders loose and mobile, or return them to that place.

There are many criticisms of the paleo diet and they all overlook a simple fact: It is not meant to exactly replicate what our ancestors ate. Instead, it is meant to take the general concepts and apply them to our modern food supply, in an effort to reverse the epidemic of chronic diseases.

Even though the symptoms of an enlarged prostate (aka benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH) are not life-threatening, they can put a significant cramp in your lifestyle. And who needs that?

Good metabolism doesn’t mean you don’t gain weight, it means you feel good every day, have plenty of energy for daily activities and are in good overall health. But watch out for these 8 things that drag it down…

Most modern warm-up exercises only focus on the muscles and joints. But this ancient exercise of simple stretches can relax your body, stretch your muscles, elongate your spine and invigorate your energy.

Oats are also a great food if you’re trying to eat less. The fiber content can help you feel fuller longer so maybe you’ll snack less between breakfast and lunchtime.

You already know that alcohol can have dire consequences on your health. But how bad is it really? Until now that hasn’t been completely clear. But if you’re looking for a concrete answer about the impact of a cocktail or two, you finally have it.

How often do you tell yourself that you don’t have enough time to do important things for yourself, like eating healthy or meditating? You’re not alone. It seems like we’re all high on healthy aspirations but low on time. Here’s how to do two at once…

It’s a tough world out there, and often the things that seem to be beneficial on the outside are insidiously chipping away at your health on the inside. You don’t even realize how they are changing your relationship with beneficial microorganisms and actually weakening your immune system.

Omega-3 fatty acids aren’t just important to your health, they’re essential. In fact, the impact omega-3 fatty acids have on your body is nothing short of miraculous. And if you take your omega-3 intake seriously, your health will thrive…

Having a healthy long life may just be a matter of consuming the right foods.With that one change, you can lower blood pressure, reduce bad cholesterol and reduce the burden on your cardio system. Get started with this list…

There’s no doubt that a satisfying sex life not only makes you happier and less stressed, but it also lowers your blood pressure, boosts your immune system and reduces your risk of heart disease. Make it work better for you…

As a doctor who only wants to relieve my patients’ suffering, it can be frustrating working at getting to the root cause of an allergy — especially one causing chronic health issues.

If you eat without thinking about what you’re eating, you’re missing out on an unsurpassed chance to improve your well-being. Functional foods are just that: foods that can help your body function at its best. If you’re not eating these, you’re starving your body of the nutrients it needs to be healthy.

Curry is not only tasty, but is also reported to have medicinal properties. Used for centuries in Ayurvedic medicine, it contains turmeric, a root known as a potent anti-tumor agent.