Seasonal Affective Disorder is upon us with Spring approaching. So, watch any changes in your moods, feeling more sad/depressed and/or more anxious.

The fastest and easiest way to begin to prepare yourself for this if you are prone to SAD is to stay out in the sun for 20 minutes or stay in a well light room for 20 minutes each day.

This is known as light therapy which will increase your natural serotonin which helps limit depression and anxiety.

Good Luck ... read entire story

Recently I experienced a Kidney stone and was unable to pass it. Now I am scheduled for this treatment below to help me rid myself of this terrible painful inconvenience. Did you know that there is only one (1) machine for the state of RI? I have come to learn of this because of my wait time for this procedure. I was told some people have to wait months, how awful!
I hope this is helpful for anyone who may want to know about this procedure.

Lithotripsy

Definition
Lithotripsy is the use of high-energy shock waves to fragment and disintegrate kidney stones. The ... read entire story

I often treat my patients with CBT and pain. I find this article to be informative I hope you do also.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Aids Long-Term Pain Management
Kate Johnson
Authors and Disclosures
February 12, 2012 (Miami Beach, Florida) — The benefits of adding cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to a chronic pain management protocol are evident in patients up to 3 years after the end of treatment, according to research.

“In our program, we don’t use analgesic drugs, strong opioids, or anything,” Magnus Olason, MD, from the Chronic ... read entire story

More Evidence Links Low Vitamin D to Depression
Megan Brooks
Authors and Disclosures
February 13, 2012 — A large cross-sectional study of adults suggests a link between low vitamin D levels and depressive symptoms, particularly in individuals with a history of depression.

Because the relationship between low vitamin D levels and depression was stronger in those with a prior history of depression, “it may be more of a marker for relapse than for new-onset,” senior investigator E. Sherwood Brown, MD, PhD, head of the psychoneuroendocrine research program ... read entire story

What is Phobia… an intense reaction to a negative stimulus.
Here are some questions I ask of my patients when they come to see me to rid themselves of their phobias.
It is alright if you do not know all the answers, these are called fact finding questions.

What are you afraid of?
How long have you been afraid of it?
When is the first memory you have of this fear?
Does anyone in your family has the same fear?
What methods have you tried to overcome your fear?
Did it work?
For how long?

Did you ever think of going to a ... read entire story

Recently I was in the market getting my Gluten free goodies. I came upon an elderly women who seemed very upset.
I asked what was wrong as she pensively looked at the shelf. She stated she was told to begin eating a wheat free gluten free diet. She had no referral to a dietitian. This is an outrage for the medical profession to send someone off on their own to decide how to make this drastic like style change.
Get help!
There is plenty out there!
Don’t be mislead ... read entire story

Best Evidence Review of Dietary Supplements and Mortality Rates in Older Women

Mursu J, Robien K, Harnack LJ, Park K, Jacobs Jr DR. Dietary supplements and mortality rate in older women. Arch Intern Med. 2011;171:1625-1633.

Dietary supplements are widely used by older adults, even though the effectiveness of these supplements in preventing illness is questionable. But can dietary supplements actually promote a higher risk for death? A new study suggests that the answer is yes for some of the most common supplements. This Best Evidence Review describes the findings of this ... read entire story

From Medscape Medical News > Psychiatry
High Prevalence of Mental Illness Among Americans
Caroline Cassels
Authors and Disclosures
January 26, 2012 — Approximately 20% of Americans aged 18 years or older have experienced mental illness in the past year, new research shows.

A report conducted by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) National Survey on Drug Use and Health shows the rate of mental illness among those aged 18 to 25 years was 29.9% vs 14.3% among Americans aged 50 years and older.

In addition, adult ... read entire story

From Heartwire
Heart Disease Risk Begins With Middle-Age Risk Factors
Reed Miller
Authors and Disclosures
January 25, 2012 (Dallas, Texas) — A meta-analysis of 18 studies confirms that differences in risk-factor burdens in middle age translate into significant differences in lifetime cardiovascular disease risk [1].

“The current paradigm when we’re thinking of prevention is to assess risk over the next 10 years using something like the Framingham risk score . . . and that’s supposed to guide decision making,” senior author Dr Donald ... read entire story

Please consider watching it….there is a message within for everyone! ... read entire story