15 Sep

What to Expect From a Skin Biopsy

A skin biopsy is the removal of layers of skin for laboratory analysis. This can be done right in your preferred doctor’s office and requires no recovery downtime.

Before the Procedure:

Your doctor will assess the area of the skin in question and ask you questions about how the condition developed. They will also review your health history and current medications. You may be asked to stop taking certain medications 24 hours before the skin biopsy procedure.

At the doctor’s office, you will be asked to undress and change into a clean gown which will give the doctor easier access to the biopsy site. The biopsy site will then be thoroughly cleaned before a local anesthetic is injected. You will feel a burning sensation for a few seconds before the treatment area becomes completely numb. Read More →

15 Aug

Benefits of Chronic Disease Management Services

Chronic Disease ManagementChronic disease management is a care concept that focuses on improving quality of life and reducing health care costs by using a multidisciplinary treatment approach.

Health care insurers are big fans of disease management programs because the improvement in patient outcomes and reduction in avoidable costs is undeniable. Almost all insurers either have their own disease management programs or contract the program management out to a disease management vendor. While some employers have not picked up on the trend quite as universally, innovative ones have delved into the world of disease management with programs specialized for their workforce demographics. Read More →

15 Jul

Probiotics vs Prebiotics

Probiotics vs PrebioticsPrebiotic and probiotic are terms you’ve likely seen in articles or advertising. But what exactly are prebiotics and probiotics? Do you need to choose one or the other? Is a supplement required, or can you get them from your diet? What are they even good for? Follow this guide for everything you need to know about probiotics and prebiotics.

What are probiotics?

Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that live in your digestive system. These bacteria help break down food to create energy for your body, boost your immune system, and have also shown benefits for other body systems. Read More →

15 Jun

Early Warning Signs Alzheimer’s Disease That You Should Not Ignore

Warning Signs Alzheimer's DiseaseAlzheimer’s is a devastating disease that affects over half a million Floridians over age 65 each year. Cognitive decline may manifest at an earlier age than expected in patients who ultimately are diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. Some common early warning signs, according to The Alzheimer’s Association, include:

  • Disruptive memory loss

It’s okay to forget the occasional name or date, but forgetting them a lot and not remembering them later is a sign of a problem. Read More →

15 May

Worst Foods to Eat if You Have Diabetes

Worst Foods to Eat

Managing diabetes requires a higher level of dedication to a healthy lifestyle than the average person. Therefore, knowing what foods to eat and not to eat is very important, especially when trying to manage type 2 diabetes with diet alone. Unfortunately, many of the foods that diabetics should avoid are commonplace, and refraining is difficult. However, being aware of your body’s nutrition is the first step in any diabetes treatment plan that involves dietary management.

Read More →

15 Apr

Vitamin B12 Deficiency: Causes and Symptoms

Vitamin B12 Deficiency

Vitamin B12 is an essential vitamin in the diet typically provided by animal-based proteins like meat, eggs, poultry, and dairy products. We need adequate vitamin B12 in the body to produce red blood cells, nerves, and DNA. It can also prevent megaloblastic anemia.

Because vitamin B12 is derived in our diets from animal-based sources, vegetarians, especially vegans, are at higher risk of developing a vitamin B12 deficiency. People who have had weight-loss surgery are also at a higher risk because the surgery affects the way nutrients are absorbed by the body, reducing the absorption of vitamin B12. Patients with Celiac or Crohn’s disease, which both affect nutrient absorption, are also at high risk of deficiency. Finally, people who take medication for heartburn are at higher risk because the heartburn medication reduces acid in the stomach, which is needed for vitamin B12 absorption.

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15 Feb

Should Adults Get Vaccinations?

Vaccinations aren’t just for young children who are building their immune system. They also offer a simple yet effective way for adults to safeguard their health and prevent dangerous illnesses. These three are a few of the most important vaccines for adults to consider. 

The Flu Shot

This is the most common vaccination that adults receive. The flu shot is a vaccine that contains an inactivated form of the influenza virus. This allows the body to be introduced to the virus in a safe way that helps the body develop antibodies necessary for protection against infection. 

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15 Jan

When Should I Start Getting Well Woman Exams?

A woman’s health care has a major influence on her overall physical wellness and quality of life, which is why it is so important to receive well woman exams on a regular basis. 

The type of preventative care provided during every well woman exam addresses the most important health concerns for women, from gynecological care to bone density and everything in between. Here’s what you should know about when to start getting well woman exams and how to make the most of your personalized care. 

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15 Oct

Breast Exams and Mammograms: What Early Screenings Can Tell You

Over 300,000 men and women go through breast cancer every year. With those kinds of numbers, it’s no wonder that we try to be proactive with breast exams and mammograms. These tools allow us to detect changes right away. Any unusual change in the breast is cause for further exploration.

Here are the breast exams etc you should be having:

There are really four different ways that your breasts and breast changes could be measured or monitored. Here are the most common breast exams and when they should be done.

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15 Sep

What Traits Make a Good Internal Doctor

An internist is just one of the several types of primary care doctors that you have to choose from. Internists don’t just focus on one part of the life cycle or one disease. Your internist will coordinate your care and help you find healthy solutions that will improve your health and address any conditions.

But what makes a good internal doctor?

Communication

Communication is one of the most important factors when choosing a doctor. You need a doctor who will be able to communicate your diagnosis and treatment options in a way that you can understand. If you have difficulties with science related subjects, you may need a doctor that can really break things down, and not all of them are able.

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