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Breath is life. And feeling like you can’t breathe is one of the scariest sensations in the world. That’s why Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease is such a troubling diagnosis. According to the American Lung Association, COPD is the third leading cause of death in the U.S. and affects 12 million Americans. There is no cure for COPD. However, you can manage it. Many patients achieve meaningful quality of life for years after diagnosis. A positive attitude, willingness to make lifestyle changes, and developing a management plan with your primary care doctor and lung specialists are vital for living with COPD. What Is COPD? COPD is an umbrella diagnosis encompassing several respiratory conditions. Emphysema, chronic bronchitis, and asthma fall under the COPD umbrella. Your airways become ... Continue Reading

Menopause: some of us worry about it, while others embrace it. But one thing’s for sure: it means plenty of changes for a woman’s body. Menopause isn’t a disease: it’s a natural phase of life. Let’s face it: the transition to the next stage isn’t always fun. However, with support from your doctor, menopause can be a happy, healthy time. What Is Menopause? Menopause occurs when your period stops because of hormonal changes in your body. However, you aren’t officially in menopause until your period stops for at least 12 months. Before that, most women experience a menopausal transition period called perimenopause. We experience perimenopause as our bodies adjust to fluctuations in estrogen and progesterone, the hormones that regulate menstruation and pregnancy. According to the National ... Continue Reading

Arthritis hurts. It can slow you down and leave you feeling frustrated and powerless. It can keep you from doing the things you love–from sports to woodworking to needlework. But if arthritis is bringing you down, don’t give up. Working with your doctor, you can manage or treat arthritis and return to your favorite activities. What Is Arthritis? Osteoarthritis (known as “wear-and-tear” arthritis) is the most common type. It happens when the soft cartilage at the tips of your bones starts to wear down. Your spongy cartilage acts as a cushion between bones. The bones rub against each other when cartilage wears away, causing pain and mobility issues. Your hands, fingers, knees, hips, and spine are the most common locations for osteoarthritis. Other types of arthritis include rheumatoid ... Continue Reading

You know the drill: roll up your sleeve and get the squeeze at your annual checkup. But many of us don’t understand how blood pressure works–or how dangerous high blood pressure can be. Hypertension affects more than 100 million people in the United States. Experts often call it the “silent killer” because it doesn’t always have easily recognizable symptoms but can cause or worsen a range of life-threatening conditions. What Do Blood Pressure Readings Mean? Your blood pressure measures the pressure of your blood against your arteries, which carry blood from your heart to the rest of your body. Many of us are familiar with fraction-style measurements we get from our primary care provider but don’t always know what it means. The top number is your systolic blood pressure, which measures ... Continue Reading

Sometimes it’s hard to talk about weight and weight loss with your doctor. Many patients want help but don’t always know where to begin. Our approach is to acknowledge that obesity is not a character flaw: it’s a chronic disease. As primary care physicians, we aim to tackle this common health issue without shaming patients, creating a productive partnership for better health. How Common Is Obesity and What Are the Health Risks? One in three American adults and one in five children experience obesity, according to the CDC. Obesity-related health conditions cost our healthcare system a staggering $173 billion per year. The CDC defines obesity as having a body mass of 30 or higher, while overweight is 25 to 30. Your body mass index is your weight divided by the square of your height. ... Continue Reading

Your primary care physician plays a valuable role in fostering heart-healthy habits and catching heart disease early. Heart disease remains the leading cause of death for both men and women, according to the Centers for Disease Control. But with early detection and prevention measures, we can stop America’s number one killer. What Is Heart Disease? The term heart disease covers multiple conditions. Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the most common form of heart disease. CAD occurs when plaque builds up in the arteries that supply blood to the heart. This buildup of cholesterol and other materials blocks blood flow to the heart. CAD can also weaken the heart muscle and prevent it from pumping blood effectively. Other forms of heart disease include arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats), ... Continue Reading