Last year, about half of my patients and I engaged in a 12 week wellness challenge for improving both physical and mental health. Those who remained committed lost weight and lowered their blood pressures, blood sugars and cholesterol. They were excited about increased energy, fewer medications, and the ability to tuck in their shirts. In … Read more
Thanksgiving is coming, and it’s supposed to be a day focused on gratitude. However, your first thoughts may have instead filled you with anxiety and overwhelm. The planning, the cleaning, the cooking, the in-laws, the travel, the overeating. Our brains are wired for negative thinking, and this helped our ancestors survive in an unpredictable world. … Read more
It’s cold and flu season, and both are caused by viruses. Viruses cause the majority of illnesses, most of which make us feel absolutely miserable from head to toe, often with fever, body aches, weakness and fatigue. Some of them cause vomiting and diarrhea. Others cause runny nose, headache, sore throat, and cough. These infections … Read more
It’s Back-to-School time, the season of busy. Following the summer vacations, relaxation, and time home with family, we catapult ourselves into after-school activities, athletic practices and games, school projects, PTA, scouting, etc. We wear our busy like a badge of honor. When acquaintances ask how we are, we exclaim, “BUSY!” We believe that this sense … Read more
Whether you’re at the beach, on a boat, or at a BBQ, summertime is all about sipping on sodas. It can be hard to resist a cold, sweet, bubbly beverage on a hot day. You’re probably already aware that soda contains a ton of sugar and that sugar can increase your risk of obesity and … Read more
Honestly, I have never been a big fan of insurance. I am not much of a gambler, and paying for insurance feels like betting on my own misfortune. I have never purchased insurance for a cell phone or appliance. I would rather save the money and make an effort to take care of my possessions. … Read more
Gender politics aside, let’s talk about why the way doctors get paid matters to you as a patient. Female physicians don’t just get paid less because they prioritize their families, they get paid less because they prioritize patients. In the fee-for-service model, doctors are paid per patient visit, so the more patients they see, the … Read more