Latest from The Spokesman-Review

• If you suspect meningitis, you should seek medical help

  April 23, 2013 in Health on Page C1 Wednesday is World Meningitis Day, dedicated to raising awareness about this disease. Worldwide, more than 1.7 million people suffer from meningitis, a sometimes treatable and often preventable disease. Meningitis refers …

• Support loved ones with struggles

  December 11, 2012 in Health on Page C3 We recently visited a friend whose wife died from cancer this year. He lives in Kodiak, Alaska, where we lived before moving to Spokane. He shared with us all that …

• On alert for caregiver burnout

  November 27, 2012 in Health on Page C1 Being a caregiver is a wonderful, daunting and exhausting job. It can be especially overwhelming if you have many other responsibilities. When I was involved in the care of my …

• The role of drug resistance

  November 13, 2012 in Health on Page C1 Drug resistance is a term you have likely heard. It may make you think of bacterial infections that no longer respond to antibiotics. You would be correct; however, many other …

• Obvious link to lung cancer is smoking, and you can fix that

  October 23, 2012 in Health on Page C1 A close friend recently died from lung cancer, which causes more deaths than any other cancer in the United States (around 29 percent). Lung cancer is very preventable. Around 87 … 2

• Strong bones are vital as we age

  October 9, 2012 in Health on Page C1 This year I had my first bone density test, a simple scan (like an X-ray) done on the hips and spine to predict how dense, or strong, bones throughout the …

• Dealing with a depressed teen

  September 25, 2012 in Health on Page C1 When my husband and I raised my two teenage cousins, we learned how moody, irritable and distracted teens can be. We also found that although they were often difficult to … 2

• Cycling fun exercise, commute

  September 11, 2012 in Health on Page C1 I initially became a serious cyclist out of the need to commute. We lived far from my university and I quickly learned that I could get to school on my …

• Cook with healthy oils, but use sparingly

  July 31, 2012 in Health on Page C1 I often go to the farmers market in the summer, look at all of the beautiful vegetables, and wonder “How will I cook that?” I want to share with you …

• Medical uncertainties can be trying

  July 17, 2012 in Features, Health on Page C1 Sometimes you go to see a health care provider for a problem and the diagnosis or treatment is not straightforward. You may be asked to have blood drawn or to …

• When it comes to anemia, causes, symptoms are vast, varied

  June 19, 2012 in Features, Health on Page C1 Anemia is a common condition and you may have heard of pregnant women, children or the elderly being anemic. When I was undergoing chemotherapy, I became anemic, too. This means …

• A chance to embrace a new look at life, cancer

  June 5, 2012 in Features, Health on Page C1 On June 28 I will be done with cancer treatment. I will finish my last dose of Herceptin, the chemotherapy agent I have been taking all year. It reduces the … 2

• Rules for summer still apply: Slip, slop, slap

  May 22, 2012 in Features on Page C1 How great does it feel to get a little sun on your skin? A good sunny day makes me want to put on some shorts and go out in the … 1

• Education, healthy liver can help keep hepatitis at bay

  May 8, 2012 in Features on Page C1 Hepatitis, an inflammation of the liver, can be caused by autoimmune disease, alcohol consumption, high doses of some drugs and medications (including acetaminophen and ibuprofen), and infections from viruses, bacteria …

• Infertility can weigh heavily on men, women

  April 24, 2012 in Features on Page C1 Delaying having children is common these days and we usually assume most of our child-free friends just haven’t gotten around to it yet. This may be true for some, or …

• Getting routine exams can give women a jump-start on treatment

  October 26, 2010 in Features on Page C1 Often when women come in for their annual physical, we review a “laundry list” of concerns saved up for that visit.

• Painful reminders about vaccines

  August 3, 2010 in Features on Page C1 I think people sometimes forget that many of the diseases for which we now have vaccines – like measles, whooping cough (pertussis) and polio – can be deadly. A woman … 5

• Smoking, being overweight can increase risk for DVT

  June 22, 2010 in Features on Page C1 This past month a woman was seen in our clinic with a large blood clot in her leg. Such blood clots – also called DVT (deep venous thrombosis) are not …

• Time to ‘man up,’ gentlemen; visit the doctor

  June 8, 2010 in Features on Page C1 A friend of mine in his mid-forties recently asked me whether he should worry about a new mole on his arm. It was not large, but the first thing I … 3

• Be wary of stroke symptoms

  May 25, 2010 in Features on Page C1 Imagine talking to a friend and suddenly having trouble making the words come out right. Your speech becomes a mixture of sounds, but not the words you mean to say. … 1

• Spring is a good time for a skin self-exam

  May 11, 2010 in Features on Page C1 Before you know it, the weather will turn warm, Spokane’s pools and splash pads will open and swimsuit season will be upon us. Of course, the first thing most of …

• Early diagnosis of autism can lead to early treatment

  April 27, 2010 in Features on Page C1 As we wrap up National Autism Awareness month, I am reminded of what a friend of mine said to me about her daughter: “I wish I had acted on my … 2

• Child abuse signs are identifiable

  April 13, 2010 in Features on Page C1 April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month. One focus this month is the emphasis on awareness of child abuse and neglect and their impact on children. Parents and other caregivers … 1

• Getting fit for Bloomsday starts now

  March 30, 2010 in Features on Page C1 I was amazed the first time I participated in Spokane’s Lilac Bloomsday Run. So many people of all shapes and sizes were out there walking and running together. The costumes, …

• Every February, the eyes have it

  February 16, 2010 in Features on Page C1 I recently found out that February is Low Vision Awareness Month, and it occurred to me that most of the time I take my sight for granted. I remember my …

• Go ‘heart-healthy’ on Valentine’s Day

  February 2, 2010 in Features on Page C1 If you have been to the grocery or drug store lately, you have seen the aisles packed with heart-shaped and heart-decorated merchandise for Valentine’s Day. There are a lot of … 2

• Dedication key for world’s best skaters

  January 12, 2010 in Features on Page C1 As I am writing this, we are counting down the days to the 2010 U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Spokane. Physicians, physical and massage therapists, physicians assistants, chiropractors, nurses and …

• Push back against life’s negatives by trying to apply a positive spin

  January 5, 2010 in Features on Page C1 Everyone has events or circumstances in their lives that make them frustrated, irritable or depressed. When I was younger and I would talk about something bothering me, a relative of …

• Gift of health keeps giving

  December 8, 2009 in Features on Page C1 If I could give you one thing for the upcoming holidays, it would be perfect health. Unfortunately, it is not something that I can give to you or that you …

• For many, blues sap holiday joy

  November 24, 2009 in Features on Page C1 Have you or someone you know had a holiday season that felt overwhelming? What about a winter where you wanted to stay indoors, even on nicer days? Winter blues and …

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