Most people have heard about the "baby blues" that can happen after a woman has a baby.  But there is a much more severe and long-lasting form of depression that can happen after childbirth, called postpartum depression (PPD).  This is a condition caused by physical and chemical changes that happen in the body associated with…...

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a disorder related to brain development which causes problems with behavior and the ability to communicate or interact with other people.  The word spectrum indicates that there is a wide variation in both the type and the severity of symptoms that different people experience.  Although there is no "cure"…...

According to a recent study, there is a simple test to predict your risk of premature death, including death from heart disease, cancer, and other causes as well. See if you can climb four flights of stairs in under a minute, without having to stop.  This study measured the exercise capacity of over 12,000 participants. …...

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common condition that affects the large intestine.  It causes a mix of abdominal symptoms, including pain.  It can sometimes cause significant symptoms, but is not associated with any evidence of underlying damage in the colon.  There are three types of IBS; constipation-predominant (IBS-C), diarrhea-predominant (IBS-D), and mixed type.  Most…...

In the last few years, we have been learning more about certain carbohydrates that can cause gastrointestinal distress.  There have now been reputable studies to show that about 75% of patients with irritable bowel syndrome get significant relief from their symptoms almost immediately after starting a low FODMAP diet.  In case you are thinking “What…...

This is the time of year for outdoor activities.  I know that I have really been looking forward to the warm summer sun throughout the long New England winter.  Whether it's a backyard cook out, or a day at the lake or beach, the sun is a big part of summer activities.  As good as…...

From last week's Health Tip, you should all know how important it is to protect your skin from the sun.  Unfortunately, there are times when we still might end up with a sunburn, despite our best efforts.  It is important to know how to treat a sunburn correctly. Here are the basics for treating a…...

Last article we talked about the different causes of food poisoning, and the symptoms they cause.  This week I wanted to talk about how to keep yourself safe and prevent food poisoning.  You have probably heard the basic rule which says to keep hot foods hot and cold foods cold.  I want you to know…...