Author – The Durango Herald

Snoring tied to sleep apnea, which can stress the heart

Do you know someone who snores loudly? Snoring can be attributed to many causes but is a symptom that should alert patients and those who love them to the possibility of sleep a...

DATE: Jan 26, 2018 | CATEGORY: La Plata Health Watch

Teens who smoke marijuana may suffer long-lasting harm

Mary Jane, weed, herb, gonj, MJ, reefer, la la, dube, bud, doja. OK, now that I’ve got your attention, it’s time to talk about something important. I don’t get to title my articl...

DATE: Dec 24, 2017 | CATEGORY: La Plata Health Watch

Revised guidelines sound alarm over high blood pressure

New battle lines have just been drawn in the decades-old public health fight against the leading cause of death and disability in the United States: heart disease. This month, th...

DATE: Nov 24, 2017 | CATEGORY: La Plata Health Watch

Flu vaccine can keep you healthy – and keep you alive

One of my most difficult memories from medical training was the death of a middle-aged mother of three from complications of influenza. She had contracted the virus around the ho...

DATE: Oct 27, 2017 | CATEGORY: La Plata Health Watch

Innovative gene therapy shows promise in fighting disease

The history of modern medicine has been dominated by three great leaps forward in the understanding of human health and disease. These are sanitation, anesthesia and antibiotics. ...

DATE: Sep 24, 2017 | CATEGORY: La Plata Health Watch

Good health is a building block for success in school

With the official end of summer just around the corner, kids are packing up their backpacks, meeting their new teachers and revving up their brains for a new academic year. Back-...

DATE: Aug 25, 2017 | CATEGORY: La Plata Health Watch

Zombie medications are dangerous – fight back

For several years now, internal medicine doctors have been discussing the zombie apocalypse. I know what you’re thinking. You may be envisioning the arrival of hordes of the undea...

DATE: Jul 20, 2017 | CATEGORY: La Plata Health Watch

Get out and have fun this summer, but do it safely

Summertime brings it’s own health opportunities and challenges. Make plans for a healthier summer with these suggestions. Summer means a break from school for the kids and the hec...

DATE: Jun 23, 2017 | CATEGORY: La Plata Health Watch

Adverse effects of high blood pressure accumulate over time

High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is commonly referred to as “the silent killer.” This common chronic illness often does not produce early symptoms. Yet, the effects of high b...

DATE: May 25, 2017 | CATEGORY: La Plata Health Watch

Diet, exercise can prevent nation’s leading killer

This epidemic started in the developing world and has now spread to become among the leading causes of death worldwide. It is the epidemic of cardiovascular disease. Heart diseas...

DATE: Apr 20, 2017 | CATEGORY: La Plata Health Watch

Spot Type 2 diabetes symptoms early to control disease

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is among the most common chronic diseases in the United States. Unfortunately, it is becoming more common. Type 2 diabetes mellitus refers to a condition ...

DATE: Mar 23, 2017 | CATEGORY: La Plata Health Watch

Fluoride in public water systems improves health

The summer after my first year of medical school, I spent time working with a community dentist who was the first to teach me the association between oral health and systemic disease. ...

DATE: Feb 23, 2017 | CATEGORY: La Plata Health Watch