Kristen N. Smith, PhD, RDN, LD
If you’ve ever suffered from headaches, you’re well aware how disruptive they can be. When they strike, they might inconvenience an hour, wipe out an entire day, or in cases of migraine, especially vestibular migraine, they can negatively impact quality of life. More than 17 percent of women and nearly … Read More
Sudden deafness, also called sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSHL) is a medical emergency. If you get diagnosed and treated right away, you have about an 85 percent chance of recovering your hearing. If you don’t, your chance of recovering drops to 50 percent. SSHL usually requires a referral to an … Read More
The room is spinning but you’re simply standing still. The dizziness and spinning associated with vertigo can be completely debilitating, oftentimes leading to nausea and vomiting. But what causes vertigo, and how can you fix it? Studies show that benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is associated with osteoporosis and poor … Read More
Ginkgo biloba benefits has long been used to enhance memory as numerous research studies have confirmed its use for treating Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. It is also well-known to increase blood circulation for conditions such as intermittent claudication (reduced blood flow to the legs) as well as … Read More
If you suffer from Meniere’s disease, you know how debilitating, frustrating, and worrisome the condition can be. But you don’t have to suffer, and you don’t have to take medications with unpleasant side effects or get surgery to find relief. A variety of dietary strategies can help you reduce your … Read More
Stroke is an emergency situation. The degree of brain function lost depends on the type of stroke, its location, and in most cases, how quickly it is treated. Yet, only 40 percent of Americans can recognize the major symptoms of a stroke. The other 60 percent may have a vague … Read More
You've heard of vertigo, but do you know what benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is? It's a common inner ear problem that produces a false sense of spinning, according to the American Academy of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS). Many of us will experience one or more episodes of BPPV … Read More
The primary cause of COPD is smoking, but long-term exposure to air pollution, dust, or certain chemicals also may cause or contribute to it. Genetics and biological differences also may be involved. A diet that is rich in fiber (from whole grains, whole fruits, vegetables, beans, brown rice, and nuts), … Read More
Dizziness is not a specific medical disorder, but a set of symptoms frequently reported in older adults. Dizziness can be caused by many underlying factors that could involve the eyes, ears, thyroid, lungs, bladder, musculoskeletal system, brain, and heart. The emergency room physician who treats a patient with dizziness has … Read More
“FDGB” is a common occurrence in the Emergency Department setting. The first question is: How common and varied is FGDB? The second question is: Exactly what is FDGB? Our emergency room secrets include the story behind that code. You see, in medicine we use mnemonics, abbreviations, and medical slang like … Read More
