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Stories tagged: House Call

The role of drug resistance

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

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 …

Strong bones are vital as we age

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

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 …

Cycling fun exercise, commute

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

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

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

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

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 …

Rules for summer still apply: Slip, slop, slap

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 …

Education, healthy liver can help keep hepatitis at bay

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

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

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

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 …

Smoking, being overweight can increase risk for DVT

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

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 …

Be wary of stroke symptoms

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. …

Spring is a good time for a skin self-exam

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

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 …

Child abuse signs are identifiable

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 …

Getting fit for Bloomsday starts now

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

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

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 …

Dedication key for world’s best skaters

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

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

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

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 …

Plan now for Great American Smokeout

If you are a smoker, when was the last time you said, “I need to quit”? The American Cancer Society’s annual Great American Smokeout is Nov. 19, and the best …

Trick to Halloween is brushing

Halloween is Saturday and that means candy, candy, candy. I have fond memories of chocolate, caramel apples, popcorn balls and candy corn. As an adult I indulge in a few …

With fatigue, watch for red flags

A friend was recently diagnosed with stage IV colon cancer. Her only symptom was fatigue for more than six months when she decided to see her doctor. Another friend was …