Did you have chickenpox as a kid? If the answer is yes (which it is for most of us), you’re at risk of getting shingles. Shingles is caused by the varicella-zoster virus, the same virus that causes chickenpox. After one recovers from chickenpox, …
Category: Conditions
Why removing fluoride from water is a public health disaster
As an endodontist who specializes in saving natural teeth, I have a front-row seat when it comes to observing the nuances of oral health. I can tell who is a flosser, a fan of tooth whiteners, and the sweet tooths among us. Occasionally, and particular…
What the research really says about infrared saunas
As someone who believes in a healthy amount of social media consumerism — just enough to stay inspired without drowning in every new trend — I recently found myself intrigued by a wellness practice that kept resurfacing on my feed: infrared sauna. Beyo…
How the cycle of rage is affecting physicians—and how to break free
Disclosure: This should not be considered as evidence-based mental health literature. These are the observations of a surgeon with extensive experience being angry. Introduction Many physicians are finding themselves strained from ongoing sociopolitica…
Dedicated hypermobility clinics can transform patient care
Every week, I speak with patients who have spent years—sometimes decades—searching for answers. They’ve seen rheumatologists, neurologists, cardiologists, physical therapists, and more, trying to piece together a puzzle that no one provider seems…
It’s time for pain protocols to catch up with the opioid crisis
We are more than a decade into what has been called the deadliest drug epidemic in American history. Every medical professional is now educated on the risks of opioids. Nearly every hospital has issued guidelines about careful prescribing. And yet — at…
Earwax could hold secrets to cancer, Alzheimer’s, and heart disease
Most of us think of earwax as a nuisance–something to be cleaned out and discarded. But, did you know that this sticky substance is a natural part of your body that can reveal information about your health? If you regularly clean your ears at home, it&…
Why male fertility needs to be part of every health conversation
June is Men’s Health Month, an opportunity to spotlight the unique health challenges men face—and to change the way we talk about them. One of the most overlooked and under-discussed topics in men’s health? Fertility. It’s time to bri…
Why health care must adapt to meet the needs of older adults with disabilities
We all know the population is aging, but did you know that close to half of all adults over age 65 in the U.S. have some kind of disability? The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) includes as a disability any “physical or mental impairment tha…
4 traits every new attending physician needs to thrive
When I conduct therapy for doctors after residency, I am supporting new attending physicians as they navigate one of the most intense and disorienting transitions of their careers. These early attendings often arrive feeling untethered. They’re r…
