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Pop Quiz on Plantar Fasciitis

Putting Your Best Foot Forward on Prevention and Treatment of this Common Source of Pain by ERIKA ALDRICH Our feet are the basis of nearly everything we do, and if you experience recurring foot pain it can put a real damper on your everyday life. Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common causes of…
Pets and Partners

Canine Heroes Help their Humans Tread with Care story by CHERYL ROGERS portraits by LUIS BETANCOURT Eighteen-year-old Hailey McDaniel’s dog, Oliver, sure knows how to get his owner’s attention. The yellow labrador whines and paces until McDaniel asks if there’s a problem. Then he’ll tap her right or left hand. McDaniel has Type 1 Diabetes,…
Pop Quiz: Heart Attack Versus Congestive Heart Failure

Test Your Knowledge and Know the Difference between CHF and a Heart Attack by ERIKA ALDRICH Heart Disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, causing approximately one out of every four deaths. Since prevention is key, it’s important to know as much as possible about heart disease. There are many different…

Gaining a Better Understanding of Pacemakers and Defibrillators

Pacemakers and defibrillators have become so common. Everyone has questions and concerns about these. Here are some frequently asked questions and answers. What are pacemakers and defibrillators used for? Pacemakers are used when the heart rate is too slow or stops and the patient is symptomatic: dizziness or blackouts usually. Conversely, defibrillators are for the…
Use of Opioids as First-Line Treatment a Slippery Slope

What do Michael Jackson, Heath Ledger, and Chris Farley have in common? These are celebrities who developed dependence on prescription drugs that started with legitimate use after injuries or procedures. They subsequently developed an addiction, which culminated in their unfortunate and untimely deaths due to unintentional overdose. Just a few examples of other celebrities who…
Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Age-Related Macular Degeneration, AMD, is a leading cause of vision loss in adults over the age of 50. It destroys the macula, which is the small central area of the retina that provides detailed, central vision. With AMD, you lose the ability to see fine details, both close-up and at a distance. Due to the…