March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. This cancer is preventable if you as a couple take care of each other. Communication is very important in a relationship. Husbands and wives need to tell their spouse if they notice any of the risk factors for colon cancer. If you have a family history of colorectal cancer, let your spouse know so that you two can collectively make … [Read more...]
3 Ways Multiple Sclerosis Can Affect Your Sex Life
This is Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week is March 2-8. For many years MS was thought to be a disease usually seen in white women. The researchers have found that over an average year, 10 out of every 100,000 blacks developed the disease, compared to 7 white patients, 3 Hispanics and just over 1 Asian per 100,000. In the traditional marriage vows you recite in sickness and in … [Read more...]
10 Tips Including Home Remedies that Prevent Gum Disease
February is Gum Disease Awareness Month. As you may recall it is also Heart Health Month. Did you know that gum disease is thought to cause heart disease? Just another reason to please keep good oral health care and pay attention to any changes in your teeth and gums. Periodontal disease is known to most people as gum disease, is a silent, painless bacterial infection that … [Read more...]
Is Your Heart Healthy? 7 Habits that Increase the Risk of Heart Disease
February is American Heart Health Month. According to the American Heart Association, heart disease is the number one killer for all Americans. The sad thing is that the risks are higher for African Americans. The most common conditions that lead to heart disease are diabetes, high blood pressure and obesity. These are all avoidable conditions with proper diet and … [Read more...]
The Top 6 Health Tests for African American Women
In our community, women are the backbone. Oftentimes we are so busy taking care of everyone else, that we neglect our own health. There are several tests that are recommended for African American women at different stages of life. These tests will help monitor our health and keep us in the best possible shape. In addition to knowing your test results, you have to eat right and … [Read more...]
How to Tackle Health and Wellness in 2015 with 2 Things
Happy New Year! It’s the first week of a new year. Do you believe in New Year’s Resolutions? I don’t believe in New Year’s Resolutions, I set goals for the year. What are your goals for the year? If you set small goals you can achieve the bigger goals. I’ve heard Steve Harvey say, “inch by inch, it becomes a cinch”. I am going to work on improving my health and hopefully I can … [Read more...]
10 Ways to Avoid the Holiday Blues?
December is filled with many holidays. It is a happy time for most but there are many people that experience depression this time of the year. Whether it is due to the loss of loved ones, being alone or lack of sunlight. The winter blues is a real illness and should be taken seriously. Here are some tips to help get everyone through the holidays and winter blues. The best … [Read more...]
World AIDS Day; It’s Still a Preventable Disease
I had a friend that always had a horrible cough. The doctor in me wondered why and often asked, “Why do you cough so much?” I was told it was asthma. Well they moved and we lost contact. One day I just decided to Google my friend and to my amazement, I found his obituary. December 1st is World AIDS Day. Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome is an infectious disorder that … [Read more...]
4 Simple Tips for a Healthy Thanksgiving Dinner Experience
This week we celebrate Thanksgiving. I know many of us look forward to eating Thanksgiving Dinner. On Thursday there will be lots of dishes and delicious food on the table. But there will also be lots of calories, fat and other unhealthy things that come with this meal. I want you to enjoy your meal and your family but I also do not want you to undo 11 months of hard work all … [Read more...]
The Truth About Diabetes and Why it is Killing Us?
November is American Diabetes Month & it’s a time for us to come together to Stop Diabetes. Diabetes is especially close to my heart because my Grandmother died in 2010 due to diabetes complications. My grandmother was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, and I will explain what that means later. But she diligently took her insulin injections but never changed her diet. I … [Read more...]
My First Bout with Depression was Caught by My Mother: Mental Health Awareness Month
I know this month is Breast Cancer Awareness Month but did you know it is also Mental Health Awareness Month? Well, unfortunately not enough is said or done on this subject and because of that people suffer and struggle in silence until it is often too late. In recent months we have heard of several celebrities that have made the decision to take their own lives because of … [Read more...]
Breast Cancer Month: Please Save the TaTa’s!
It is hard to go anywhere and not see a pink ribbon; it must be Breast Cancer Awareness Month. As a doctor, I of course believe that breast health is very important especially because it is the second leading cause of cancer death in our community. In recent years breast cancer is being diagnosed in women under 30 and with no family history. I want to tell you the story of a … [Read more...]
What is PCOS & Why Does it Affect Couples Infertility?
PCOS is Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, one of the most common hormonal endocrine disorders in women, September is PCOS awareness month. This syndrome is known as the “silent killer” because PCOS cannot easily be diagnosed with one test and the symptoms vary from woman to woman. There are several diseases that women with PCOS are higher risk for such as: endometrial and breast … [Read more...]
Sickle Cell Disease: What You Should Know and How You Can Help
September is National Sickle Cell Awareness Month. Sickle Cell Disease is a group of diseases that affects hemoglobin, the molecule in red blood cells that delivers oxygen to cells throughout the body. People with sickle cell disease have hemoglobin S, which can distort red blood cells into a sickle, or crescent shape versus the normal round shaped red blood cells. This disease … [Read more...]