Best Edge SEM, Author at Kavita Rao M.D.

04 Feb

Understanding COPD

lungs Now more than ever, the air we breathe, the food we eat, and the water we drink is all loaded with damaging toxins and hazardous chemicals. This widespread pollution, made worse by habits like smoking, is causing COPD in far too many people.

Defining COPD

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease is not a singular disease itself, but rather an umbrella term for progressive lung diseases like chronic bronchitis, asthma, and emphysema. It affects more than 20 million people in our country today, so education and prevention are key. Read More →

19 Jan

What Does It Mean to Be Gluten Free?

grain Gluten has recently become a villain in the health food world, leading to a surge in gluten-free diets and food options. But what exactly is gluten, and why are so many people opting to become gluten-free?

About Gluten

Gluten is a protein that occurs in wheat, barley, and rye, which means it’s prevalent in nearly all common breads, baked goods, cereals, and even soups, sauces, and salad dressings. Read More →

07 Jan

The Top 4 Reasons to Incorporate Flax Seeds into Your Daily Diet

omega 3 Flax seeds don’t look like much to the naked eye, but underneath their tiny shells there is a powerhouse of nutrition just waiting to unleash itself in your body. In fact, flax seed are said to be one of the most nutrient-dense foods on Earth! From balancing hormones to clearing skin and supporting weight loss, flax seeds can help your body achieve just about anything.

They’re incredibly easy to add to any smoothie, yogurt, baked good, or granola. Flax blends well, so you can be healthy without really noticing it. If you still need more convincing, these five reasons should do the trick. Read More →

20 Dec

Type 2 Diabetes: Stay Informed

Given that 27 million Americans have been diagnosed with diabetes, the condition is well known by the general population, but very few people truly understand why and how diabetes impacts the body. You may have a family member or friend with diabetes, or you may even be concerned about your own blood sugar health, but without understanding the inner workings of diabetes it can be difficult to seek treatment. Read More →

10 Dec

Mental Health: The Overlooked Chronic Condition

Cancer, diabetes, and heart disease are all chronic illnesses that garner a great deal of attention from the medical community and media. After all, chronic disease impacts 50 percent of Americans. Foundations exist to battle the chronic diseases, and education is widespread for patient information.

There is one chronic condition, however, that is often overlooked or forgotten: mental health conditions, especially in our nation’s youth.

The Impact of Chronic Mental Health Conditions Read More →

15 Nov

What is Internal Medicine

When doctors receive their training and certification, it is usually in a certain field like surgery, pediatrics, or geriatrics. You’re probably familiar with a family doctor who can take patients young and old and pediatric doctors who focus strictly on the care of children. Internists, or doctors of internal medicine, focus strictly on the health of adults. Internists are unique for a few other reasons that make them a valuable asset for any adult aiming to maintain health, recover from illness, and anything in between. Read More →

17 Sep

How to Prepare for Your Internist Appointment

When you are sick it can be easy to get caught up in the hassle of trying to get a doctor’s appointment. But if you rush the process, you might not get as much out of the appointment as you really need. Before you head to see the internist, take a few moments to prepare yourself for the appointment.

Preparing for a Doctor’s Visit

Before you head to the doctor, you need to deal with some practical things. Make sure that the doctor accepts your insurance, and determine what your co-payment will be, if you have one. When you call to make your appointment, make sure to give the office Read More →

03 Sep

What Does an Internist Do?

When you have a medical problem, it can be difficult to determine what kind of doctor you need simply because there are so many different specialties. In many cases, your primary care physician will be able to handle the problem or will be able to refer you to someone who can. One of the most common referrals PCPs make is to internists. Read More →

18 Aug

Do You Really Need a Flu Shot? Some Common Questions Answered

Dr Kavita Rao, like many other medical professionals in the US, offers flu shots – and actively recommends that people have one. However, flu shots are often shrouded in mystery; with the most common question being ‘do you really need one?’ Here’s the answer to that question, plus a few other misunderstandings cleared up along the way!

The Most Commonly Asked Questions about Flu Shots Read More →

04 Aug

Being Breast Aware – The Importance of Regular Breast Examinations

Breast cancer, along with skin cancer, is the most common form of the disease in the US. Each year, there are approximately 231, 840 new cases of breast cancer in this country alone, and 40,290 deaths caused by the condition.

Regrettably, many of those deaths could have been prevented, had the woman in question been more aware of abnormalities occurring in her breasts. This is why being breast aware is so important. Read More →