Anthony Viera is an associate professor and Charles B. Wilkerson, MD ’06 Distinguished Scholar in the Department of Family Medicine and director of UNC’s MD-MPH Program, coauthored the review of research on calorie information in menus. They also coauthored the study of physical activity menu labeling which appears in the journal Appetite (March 2013). As a next step, Viera is [...]
With a healthy balance between denial and hypochondria in mind, WebMD asked experts to list some symptoms of cancer that may not immediately be a concern but that should be checked out. No. 1: Unexplained Weight Loss (10 pounds in a month without an increase in exercise or a decrease in food intake) should be checked out. No. 2: If [...]
An insurance industry study, the largest of its kind, shows that medical costs can be reduced by more than $1,800 a year for diabetic patients receiving periodontal care. The study examined medical records from more than 1.6 million people covered by both United Concordia Dental and Highmark, Inc., and identified about 90,000 Type 2 diabetics. About 25 percent of those [...]
If the doctor is having trouble diagnosing your ailment, here’s a check list for you to match your symptoms in six different diseases. Lupus - A chronic inflammatory disease Symptoms: Fatigue, kidney/heart/lung damage, rash, joint pain Mimics: Chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis Tests: Complete blood, chest X-ray, anti-dsDNA, ANA, and lupus erythematosus cell tests Parkinson's disease - A degenerative disorder of the [...]
Stroke, the fourth most common killer in the U.S. behind heart attack, COPD, and cancer, has several risk factors. They are as follows: Types of Stroke: Hemorrhagic is caused by a weakened blood vessel which ruptures, causing a bleed in the brain. Ischemic is caused by a blockage (clot). Approximately 80 percent of strokes are ischemic. TIA (Transient Ischemic Attack) [...]
A recent study shows that sleep deprivation ages the brain. Researchers asked study participants in a study at University College London Medical School compared how much sleep participants were getting over five-year period. Those whose sleep declined during those five years showed an accelerated mental decline during the cognitive testing that equaled four to seven years of aging. “Sleep regenerates [...]
Anyone, at any age, who experiences even a minor bump to the head from an accident or fall can suffer a concussion, a type of mild traumatic brain injury that is a serious medical condition that can effect the way the brain works. A person with a concussion needs to see a medical professional for evaluation and treatment. Concussion Signs [...]
A recent Harvard University study that appeared in the New England Journal of Medicine lists the five top foods that drive weight gain in the United States as potato chips, potatoes, soda, meats, and processed meats (i.e. bacon, hot dogs, etc). Dr. Scott Lewis, a professional hypnotist and clinician, guides people in making dramatic changes to their eating habits. “People [...]
Colorectal cancer usually begins as a small polyp which, although mostly benign, can become cancerous. Symptoms may include a change in bowel habits or bleeding, but usually colon cancer strikes without symptoms. If the cancer is found early, the doctor can use surgery, radiation, and/or chemotherapy for effective treatment. The good news is Medicare covers these screenings and many health [...]
Dr. Nortin Hadler, professor of medicine and microbiology/immunology at UNC-Chapel Hill, has been warning for years about medical overtreatment. In his newest book, the Harvard-trained doctor turns his attention to the challenging medical decisions older Americans face. Rethinking Aging, Dr. Nortin Hadler’s latest book, is a celebration of the fact that the baby boomers and the traditionalists (the generation that [...]
