You may have read or heard about dopamine deficiency and supplements or diets to increase your dopamine level. Dopamine is an important brain chemical, but other than a rare, inherited genetic disorder, there is no medical diagnosis called dopamine deficiency. [1-3] You can develop low levels of dopamine or an … Read More
Serotonin is an important brain chemical that relays messages in your brain, called a neurotransmitter. [1,2] Serotonin is also a hormone. Hormones are chemical messengers that travel through your body. Although serotonin has effects on your whole body, according to the Endocrine Society, serotonin is the key hormone that stabilizes … Read More
Osteoporosis is often a silent disease, as there are virtually no symptoms until a bone fracture occurs. Because of this, many women do not worry about their osteoporosis risk until they are diagnosed. But you shouldn’t wait until your bones are weak and brittle to give attention to your health. … Read More
Gingivitis is an inflammation of the gums (gums are called “gingiva” and “itis” means inflammation). It is caused by bacteria. If you have gingivitis, your gums are likely red and swollen. They may bleed when you brush your teeth. Sometimes gums with gingivitis will be sore. Some people have gingivitis … Read More
If you live or in a cold-weather climate, you’ve had experience "braving the elements." And you also know that frigid weather is nothing to take lightly: The danger of frostbite is very real and can result in permanent damage, leading in severe cases to amputation. So at the first symptoms … Read More
If your physician prescribes antibiotics, question it. And do some research on your own before taking them. Some doctors are a little too quick with the prescription pad, and some patients (myself included) a little too trusting. The truth is we’ve been over-prescribing antibiotics in this country for quite some … Read More
Here’s the deal: A benign tumor is still a tumor. No, it’s not cancer, but it’s still an abnormal growth that shouldn’t be present in your body. And anything abnormal, including a benign tumor, needs to be monitored, at the very least. Obviously, the diagnosis of a benign tumor is … Read More
While celebrating with family and friends on Thanksgiving, you can be grateful that the food on your plate is also helping to boost your bone density. That’s right: here are some ideas for some healthy Thanksgiving sides and other feast favorites that contain a combination of significant bone-building nutrients, among … Read More
The moment your doctor tells you that you’ll have to undergo a surgical procedure can be a frightening, confusing, and stressful experience. All kinds of thoughts will cross your mind—it’s natural to worry about the skills of your medical team, the operation’s outcome, and potentially high medical bills that will … Read More
Today’s Parkinson’s treatment options address the symptoms of tremors, stiffness, and slow movement to improve quality of life. However, they do little to slow the progression of this disease. Fortunately, research is helping us better understand Parkinson’s. While early signs of Parkinson's disease can be overlooked, once it's diagnosed, treatment … Read More
