Archive for 2014
Taking Steps to Maintain a Lucid Mind, a New Year Message
I met my mother in law Betsy more than twenty years ago. She was in her sixties, well read, well rounded, quite brilliant. She graduated from Sarah Lawrence, Barbara Walters’ alma mater, and later had a Master degree in Psychology and was in the same class with Golda Meir’s sister. She lived a privileged life…
Read MoreDecember Health Pearls: Gardasil 9 Vaccine: Pollution Exposure and Risk of Autism, Dysfuntional Sleep and Childhood Obesity
1. Gardasil 9, the New Version of A Cervical Cancer Vaccine. Earlier this month, the FDA approved the Gardasil 9, Merck’s new version of Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccine, to be given to females from 9-26 year old, and males from 9-15 years old. Gardasil protects the recipients against nine strains of HPV, as compared…
Read MoreWhat Do You REALLY Want To Change?
The end of the year is a good time to think of what we’d like to change – about ourselves, our relationships with others, our time management … All through the year, I try to tease out these ideas with patients. Often they mention the things they CAN’T change – not enough time, they don’t…
Read MoreWrap-Up of Five Abdominal Exercises – Marching and Tapping Core Stabilizer
Here is the fifth and final exercise in the abdominal series. We have reviewed the basic sit-up, the oblique twist sit-up, the reverse lift, the traditional oblique and oblique alternators, and now today’s featured move is a marching and tapping core stabilizer. This move targets the low abdominal muscles, the transverse abdominis. There are two versions. The most basic…
Read MoreCaribbean Travelers: Bring Your DEET!
Are you headed to warmer weather for the holiday break? In addition to bringing sunscreen and your bathing suit, do not forget to pack mosquito repellant if you are venturing to the Caribbean islands. One year ago, the first cases of Chikungunya, a viral illness that causes severe joint pains and fever, were detected in…
Read MoreFeatured Move – 4th abdominal challenge – Traditional Oblique and Oblique Alternators
Today’s featured move, the fourth in the abdominal series, is another oblique challenger with two versions: Traditional Oblique and Oblique Alternators. These are great alternatives to the oblique twist sit-up OR additional options to include in a full abdominal series. Lie flat on your back, feet on the floor, with your knees bent. Cross the left ankle…
Read MoreHeart Attack or Panic Attack?
Sarah comes into the office complaining of chest pain, sweating, racing heart, and shortness of breath. She is worried about having a heart attack. Physical exam and EKG are all normal. What is the next step for Sarah who is having a panic attack? First, of course, we treat her panic attack with a low…
Read MoreMedical Marijuana – Joint Controversy
As laws change in different jurisdictions, many questions arise. Is marijuana safe? If alcohol and cigarettes kill more people than marijuana does, why are the former legal and the latter generally illegal? Can a doctor legally grow marijuana and prescribe it medically in jurisdictions where both activities are legal? As over 20 states now have…
Read MoreCan We Bring Real Changes?
Last Sunday, my husband and I went to the Maryland Youth Orchestra’s concert at Strathmore, a well known music hall in Bethesda, Maryland. Our Goddaughter and her two younger brothers were playing in this highly competitive orchestra. As I looked at the three different groups of performers (each a different age group), I realized more…
Read MoreHoliday Events: Tips on Keeping Your Weight Stable
I don’t know how many holiday parties you and your family plan to attend this year, but that time is coming soon. Thanksgiving is over, but we have two more high calorie consumption holidays to go through. So far, I will have 6 holiday events to go to in December, starting on the first weekend…
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