Northern Arizona Healthcare

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	A "new" choice for women's healthcare When a woman seeks a healthcare provider – whether it is for her first annual exam, pregnancy, or the onset of menopause – she may want to consider the full range of provider choices. Women should know they now have several options: physicians,...
	A Bloodtime Story It isn’t by chance that during an annual health examination your physician will ask you to have a blood test. Blood is your body’s main transport system. It carries raw materials and finished chemical products to-and-from your organs, and carries...
	Ah-choo! Is it a cold or an allergy attack? The sniffles, sneezing, stuffy nose and sore throat – should you reach for the cold medicine or grab the allergy pills? Assessing your symptoms and knowing what condition you’re suffering from is the most important part of treatment and quickly...
	Alcohol-related birth defects - What are they? Even though alcohol use is discouraged during pregnancy, there are an increasing number of children born with alcohol-related birth defects. Even one drink can cause permanent damage to the developing fetus. The Centers for Disease Control and...
	Allergies in Arizona Many people think they won’t have allergies in Arizona because it is so dry. That may have been the case many years ago, but today Arizona might be one of the last places an allergy sufferer should settle.What Causes Allergies?Allergies usually start...
	An anesthesiologist answers: "How Safe is Propofol?" It is quite likely that if you or a family member has had a recent diagnostic, endoscopic or surgical procedure, the drug propofol was a part of the anesthetic. Since approval by the FDA in 1993, this liquid drug, which is administered through the...
	An increasing population of diabetics affect us all Recent statistics concerning increases in the world’s population of diabetics are frightening. It now is predicted that by 2034 nearly twice as many Americans will have diabetes. That means the numbers will increase from approximately 24 million to...
	Avoid Insulin Resistance - get a grip on insulin's ups and downs The endocrine system helps regulate the body’s metabolism through hormones. One of the most important hormones of the endocrine system is insulin. Insulin plays a critical role in how the body uses food.After eating, the digestive system breaks down...
	Be sun smart - Protect yourself and get screened With summer on its way, many people are ready to soak up the sun, wear less clothing and participate in more outdoor activities. The sun and warm weather are wonderful to enjoy as long as they are done in moderation and with protective measures...
	Childbirth Classes Provide a Healthy Start for New Families For most expecting parents, pregnancy is a time of good feelings, good health and a tremendous sense of accomplishment. However, in addition to these wonderful experiences, first-time parents can sometimes feel like they are taking a giant leap into...
	Create a safer home environment by reducing electromagnetic pollution A new and often overlooked area of home safety is assessing the home environment for electromagnetic pollution. Electromagnetic fields (EMFs) are energy waves that surround electronic devices. Everyday electronic devices and appliances such as...
	Depression complicates other illnesses In any given one-year period, 9.5 percent of the population, or approximately 18.8 million American adults suffer from a depressive disorder. A depressive disorder is an illness that involves the body, mood, and thoughts. It affects the way a person...
	Diabetes - Are you at risk? The numbers are in. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently released the 2011 National Diabetes Fact Sheet which shows: · Diabetes affects 25.8 million people or 8.3 percent of the U.S. population · Of that number, 7...
	Diabetes - when your get up and go, got up and left Diabetes affects 25.8 million people in the U.S. Among adults, it is the leading cause of kidney failure, non-traumatic lower-limb amputations and new cases of blindness. Fortunately, major complications can be prevented with proper medical treatment...
	Dizziness...it's in your ears Try a simple exercise – as you read this article, shake your head rapidly from side-to-side. The print will stay reasonable still even though your head is moving. This scenario is an example of how the body’s balance (vestibular) system compensates...
	Donate your used hearing aids It is estimated that one in every 10, or 36 million, Americans has hearing loss. As baby boomers reach retirement age starting in 2010, this number is expected to rapidly climb and nearly double by the year 2030. Most hearing losses develop over a...
	Don't forget the sunblock! Summer finally has arrived and many of us are spending more time outdoors. Who doesn’t want to enjoy the beautiful summer weather that Northern Arizona has to offer? Yet while we are out camping, hiking, swimming and fishing, it is important to...
	Don't let alcohol ruin your holidays, or your life You have finished your holiday shopping and have opened most the gifts; you’re dressed up and headed to a much-anticipated holiday party, looking forward to an evening of good company and holiday food and drink. Because you are driving, you won’t be...
	Don't let tobacco steal another day of your life March 11 is National No Smoking Day and what a prefect opportunity to begin the journey to a tobacco-free lifestyle. No use waiting until the new year or your birthday or some other landmark event, the longer you wait to stop smoking the less days...
	Falling is a risk for everyone As the winter season in Northern Arizona draws to a close many people begin to see their chances of slipping and falling melt away with the snow and ice; however, that’s not the case, people fall year round. Falls are nondiscriminatory and can happen...
	Headaches: A Real Excuse or Not? The age old excuse “I have a headache” may carry more merit than many give it! Headaches are one of the most common disorders affecting Americans. There are many causes of headaches and research is ongoing. Although 99 percent of headaches...
	Healing grief, it takes time A precious loved one has died. Waves of pain wash over you and you question how you will survive. You will survive, and most likely you will find your own healing path. Grief can be confusing and everyone grieves differently. Religious and cultural...
	Healthy Beginnings: Understanding Perinatal Mood Disorders “A new baby is like the beginning of all things-wonder, hope, a dream of possibilities,” said Eda J. Le Shan. Most families excitedly prepare for bringing a new life into the world expecting the wonder, hope and great possibilities. However, having a...
	How much water do you really need? Many articles in popular magazines have been telling people to increase the amount of water they drink every day. But how much do you really need, and how much is too much? Our bodies are about 60−70 percent water. Most of the water is...
	If you are going to sled - sled safely If sledding down a snow-covered hill is your family’s idea of fun this winter, make sure you know how to sled smart before heading outside. Sledding is a popular wintertime activity, but it’s important that you and your children know the risks...
	Infant Safety Tips for New Parents When preparing for a baby, expectant parents often find themselves anxious to learn everything they can about nurturing and caring for their newborn. One important topic often overlooked is infant safety, which should begin before a baby is even...
	National American Diabetes Month The ADA launched the Stop Diabetes program in 2009, and since then, over 677,728 people have joined. A large part of this campaign is providing diabetes education including knowing the risk factors for diabetes, recognizing the symptoms, and...
	No More Hot Sauce, Please! Have you ever felt a burning pain in your chest after eating a large meal or spicy foods? This pain is called heartburn and can be a symptom of a more severe problem – GERD (gastro-esophageal reflux disease) or simply known as acid-reflux....
	November is National Hospice Month November is National Hospice and Palliative Care Month. This is an opportunity to acknowledge the professionals and volunteers who provide care to patients and families coping with life-limiting illness. It also provides an opportunity to have...
	Patient Safety - It's everyone's responsibility March is National Patient Safety month. Patient safety is a healthcare initiative that emphasizes the prevention of medical errors. Patient safety relies on the patient becoming a partner in their care. When patients and their families are actively...
	Pharmacy hopping is a bad idea! The economy is affecting everyone! Gas prices are high and medical and prescription costs are rising. Shopping around for the best prices seems like a smart thing to do. If someone can save time, a few dollars or an extra drive across town, isn’t...
	PLO gels and creams: A prescription option for those who have difficulty taking oral medications Have trouble swallowing a pill? Have adverse effects to oral pain medications? Several agents in medications taken for pain or muscle spasms can often interfere with or prevent daily activities because of their unpleasant side effects. These...
	Postpartum mood and anxiety disorders: Common and treatable Many women have mood swings after having a baby. They can be happy one minute and sad the next. Even when their baby is content and sleeping regularly, they may have difficulty sleeping and eating and feel a little depressed. If these symptoms begin...
	Ringing In Your Ears? Tinnitus commonly is described as a ringing in the ears, but some people also hear it as a roaring, clicking, hissing or buzzing. It may be soft or loud, and it might affect both ears or only one ear. For some people, it’s a minor annoyance. For...
	Struggling with changes in brain function: A difficult journey “Where did I put my keys?” “Why did I come into this room?” What is dementia? Changes in brain function, also known as dementia, can come in all shapes and sizes and is caused by many variables. Dementia is different than age-related memory loss!...
	Sudden onset hearing loss Last month a patient came to my office in a state of great anxiety. She is a teacher and said that she was writing on the chalkboard in her classroom and suddenly both of her ears went very quiet. She could hear people but they were extremely soft...
	Surviving grief during the holidays With the holiday season upon us, some already may be feeling the stress that is abundant this time of year. Although the holidays can be a time of joy, they also can be a time of sorrow, remembering those who are no longer able to join us. Loss can...
	Take a "Time Out" in surgery When you hear the term “time out” what comes to mind? Do you think of a brief stop in play called by a coach or team player in order to communicate with the team? Time-out periods in sports are often used to determine strategy and make sure all...
	TeleStroke program brings stroke specialists to the patient?s bedside The Emergency Department (ED) doors at Flagstaff Medical Center whoosh open as a middle-aged couple hurries inside. One side of the man’s face droops and his slurred words try to quiet his wife’s worst fears. The triage nurse, trained to recognize...
	Warning signs of problem drinking To understand what a responsible level of alcohol use is, one needs to know the warning signs of problem drinking. Here are four red flags to be aware of:• Increased tolerance - is when a person can consume large amounts of alcohol and not seem...
	What is Palliative Care? Palliative care, also known as “Comfort Care,” is a philosophy of medical care that seeks to manage the symptoms of people with chronic illnesses. Although there are exceptions, it’s generally understood a chronic illness requiring palliative care is...
	What is the Metabolic Syndrome or Syndrome X? Metabolic syndrome is a combination of medical disorders that increase the risk of developing cardiovascular disease and diabetes. It affects one in five people and the prevalence increases with age. Some studies estimate the prevalence in the U.S....
	When oral medications are not an option, compounding is “Help, my daughter can’t swallow capsules; my dog needs to take a medication every day; my mom is too ill to swallow her medication.” Have you ever been confronted with a similar situation: your little child is sick and in need of a particular...