Suffering from the flu is a costly and potentially dangerous experience, which is why getting vaccinated against the influenza virus is so important. “Some people think the flu is like a common cold, but really, the flu is a lot…
Crunches or Pilates may be the last thing you want to think about while you care for your new baby. Clearly, basic needs like sleep, nutrition and caring for your newborn take priority. But once your doctor indicates it is…
A respiratory virus that has sickened hundreds and killed at least 17 people in China saw its first confirmed cases in the United States this week, but a health official in Springfield said Friday that the risk of transmission in…
Nearly everyone has a family member who has had cancer—it is a common disease affecting 1 in 3 Americans. A common myth is that all cancers are genetic, but that’s not always the case. Sometimes family members have the same…
A pap smear is a test that screens for cervical cancer in women. The earlier abnormal cells are detected, the more options there are to prevent cervical cancer. Depending on your age, your health history and your physician’s recommendation, the…
The bitter, fluctuating temperatures and precipitation during winter can bring out the grouch in most of us, but believe it or not, there are a few health benefits credited to cold weather. Avinash Viswanathan, MD, an internal medicine physician with…
It’s like a bad sequel: Revenge of the Chickenpox. Each year, more than one million Americans get shingles. Varicella zoster virus (VZV) is the same virus that causes both shingles and chickenpox. Shingles appears as a painful rash that can…
Do you forget where you put your car keys occasionally or miss a scheduled appointment once in a while? Sometimes what feels like normal forgetfulness can be an indicator of something more serious. If you start to experience more frequent…
Were you an allergy-free kid only to experience sniffles, sneezes and a runny nose now as an adult? “Some patients think they have a simple cold and are surprised to learn they have late-onset allergies,” said Dhuha Raab , DO,…
Many tweens and teens are convinced vaping is harmless, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. “It’s easily available and many children think it is safe and just flavored water vapor,” said Christopher Rivera, MD, a family medicine physician…