September 13, 2018
A staggering 47 million people worldwide suffer from dementia. In 2017, nearly 10 million new cases will be diagnosed. Dementia is broadly defined as a mental decline that interferes with daily life. The most well-known symptom of dementia is memory loss. People often think dementia only affects elderly patients with Alzheimer's disease. However, dementia shows up in many different forms and can affect younger populations as well. Top Four Types of Dementia Dementia is a broad term that refers to the overall mental decline dementia patients experience. However, there are various kinds of... Continue Reading
September 11, 2018
Did you know you have a butterfly with a shield in your neck? That's right; your thyroid gland is a butterfly-shaped gland with a name that comes from the Greek word for "shield." The thyroid gland sits at the base of your neck below your Adam's apple and weighs less than an ounce. This small but mighty gland controls your metabolism – the process of converting food into energy. Your thyroid is so important that you are unable to live without it unless you have medicine to replace its hormones. The thyroid gland is part of the endocrine system – the system that includes all the glands in your... Continue Reading
September 10, 2018
It's Saturday morning in New York. Two ten-year-old boys, one named Kenneth, await their grandfather's arrival. This Saturday morning routine is both familiar and exciting. It's the day they get to go on rounds with their grandfather, a dedicated physician, at Columbia Mount Sinai In New York City. It's the late 1960's, an era where physicians were largely hands-on, relying on the cornerstones of patient examinations and diagnostics, instead of the technologies of today. This close proximity to the medical profession was nothing new for Kenneth who came from a very long line of doctors. In... Continue Reading
September 6, 2018
September is Healthy Aging Month, and we're celebrating the important milestone of being 50 years old and over! At this point in life, you've gained hard-earned wisdom and have much to offer. To continue a good quality of life, taking a proactive role in maintaining your health is more important than ever. It's time to make sure you're doing everything possible to stay vibrant, active, and going strong! Stay Heart Smart Your heart ages along with you. After 50 years old, your heart may grow larger, and your heart rate may slow down slightly. Blood vessels and arteries tend to harden a bit too... Continue Reading
September 4, 2018
The power goes out during a thunderstorm, or roads are blocked from a winter storm – most of the time these are nothing more than minor inconveniences. But what if your power was out for weeks, or a winter blizzard left you stranded in your home for an unknown amount of time? Whether a natural occurrence, illness, or a manmade threat, a disaster can strike when you least expect it. Being prepared is essential to keep your family safe. This easy 3-step list gives you key actions to prepare your family for a disaster. 1. Prepare to Prepare Before you get started, do some research on what... Continue Reading
August 30, 2018
Doctor's hold a revered position in our society. Beyond patient's normal interactions with doctors there are interesting facts about the lives of doctors, that may surprise you. For instance, doctors work an average of 1.5 times more hours per week than the average American. In other words, it would take 54 years to complete the work that a doctor does in 36 years. What does the life of someone so busy look like? Can they sustain healthy friend and family relationships? Here are five unique facts to better explain the mind of the average doctor in today's society. Reporting for Duty There are... Continue Reading
August 28, 2018
As summer draws to a close, it's time to look forward to the transition into fall. Crisp days, leaves changing color, pumpkin patches, and hot apple cider makes for the perfect fall day. The change of seasons is also the ideal time to take seasonal precautions for your health. With a little planning, it's easy to make fall a healthy and happy season! Get Your Flu Shot The most recent flu season put most of us on notice about the importance of getting a flu shot. In fact, during the 2017-2018 flu season upwards of 4,000 Americans were dying each week from the flu. The flu can be tricky because... Continue Reading
August 23, 2018
Swimming has long been a favorite summer activity. Nothing cures the heat of a sweltering summer day more than a nice dip at your favorite swimming spot. Most of us are aware of the basic safety guidelines for being a safe swimmer and enjoy the relaxation of swimming without incident. However, there's a less well-known danger that threatens swimmers called dry drowning. Let’s look at what causes dry drowning, how to recognize the symptoms, and what steps to take to prevent it. What is Dry Drowning? Dry drowning is a term that describes water entering the airway causing the vocal chords to... Continue Reading
August 21, 2018
It’s hard to believe that such a small creature can wreak such havoc, but tick-borne diseases are on the rise. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), tick-borne diseases have more than doubled in the last thirteen years. From avid outdoors lovers to people outside for their daily activities, everyone is at risk for a tick bite. Read on to learn more about the most common tick-borne diseases and how to prevent tick bites. Lyme Disease Lyme disease is the most common tick-borne disease. In fact, eighty-two percent of people with a tick-borne disease are diagnosed with Lyme disease... Continue Reading
August 10, 2018
Since 2002, Dr. Verghese , a board-certified pulmonologist has helped residents of Central Virginia stay healthy and breathe easy. Since high school, he's known he wanted to combine his interest in science and helping people. Sticking close to his North Carolina roots, he attended Duke University, first as an engineering student and then transitioning into medicine. When it came time to choose a specialty, Dr. Verghese landed on pulmonology – a field that treats diseases in the respiratory system. "I like pulmonology because it encompasses a little bit of everything – people of different ages... Continue Reading
