Our offices will be closed on Monday, July 4th in observance of our Independence Day.

We will reopen at our regular business hours on Tuesday, July 5th.

We wish you a safe and happy holiday weekend.

The summer heat is back and strong in our beautiful South Florida, but did you know that too much unprotected exposure to the Sun can cause skin damage and in some cases, skin cancer?

Sun exposure accelerates the skin’s aging process by breaking down elastin, the fibers that keep the skin from sagging and losing elasticity. Extreme sun exposure can also cause unwanted skin marks and tears that take longer to heal.

So How Can You Prevent Skin Cancer and Other Skin Related Problems?

• Take good care of your skin by keeping well hydrated and eating a healthy diet.
• Apply sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or greater (for UVB protection) and zinc oxide (for UVA protection) 20 minutes before sun exposure and every 2 hours thereafter, more if you are sweating or swimming.
• Select clothing, cosmetic products, and contact lenses that offer UV protection.
• Wear sunglasses with total UV protection and a wide-brimmed hat to shade your face and neck.
• Avoid direct sun exposure as much as possible during peak UV radiation hours (between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.).
• Perform skin self-exams regularly (at least monthly) to become familiar with existing growths and to notice any changes or new growths.
• Eighty percent of a person’s lifetime sun exposure is acquired before age 18. As a parent, be a good role model and foster skin cancer prevention habits in your child.
• Lastly, discuss promptly any changes in your skin or concerns with your doctor.

To learn more, visit Prevent Skin Cancer Now

Are you prepared in case of a hurricane? Hurricane season is upon us, and although we haven’t been visited by a big one in a while, it is always best to be prepared and secure our best health in case of a heavy storm. Be sure to follow the guidelines from the Hurricane Center and also keep a list of all your diagnoses, known allergies, medications, doctor’s info, recipes of healthy foods you can make without power, and any other information about you and your loved ones’ health in case an evacuation from your home is eminent. Preparedness is key!

Our offices will be closed on Monday, May 30th in observance of Memorial Day. We will reopen at our regular business hours on Tuesday, May 31st.
We wish you a safe and peaceful weekend.

New research demonstrates a significant connection between stress and type 2 diabetes. Persons with higher cortisol levels (the stress hormone) are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes amongst other diseases. Stress is a major part of life and not all stress is negative. However, certain stressors such as losing a job and chronic illness can drive your body to remain on a high alert mode and cause physical illness.   Talk to your doctor about your concerns and learn adequate ways to better manage your stress. A healthy lifestyle for a happy life!  Click on the image below to learn more.

Over 25 million Americans have a thyroid disorder but about 15 million of those are silent sufferers that go undiagnosed, according to The American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists, with women being 10 times more affected than men. Thyroid disorders can range from a small, harmless goiter (enlarged gland) that needs no treatment to life-threatening cancer. However, most thyroid problems can be managed well if properly diagnosed and treated.

All types of hyperthyroidism are due to an overproduction of thyroid hormones, but the condition can occur in several ways:

• Graves’ disease: The production of too much thyroid hormone.
• Toxic adenomas: Nodules develop in the thyroid gland and begin to secrete thyroid hormones, upsetting the body’s chemical balance; some goiters may contain several of these nodules.
• Sub acute thyroiditis: Inflammation of the thyroid that causes the gland to “leak” excess hormones, resulting in temporary hyperthyroidism that generally lasts a few weeks but may persist for months.
• Pituitary gland malfunctions or cancerous growths in the thyroid gland: Although rare, hyperthyroidism can also develop from these causes.

Hypothyroidism , by contrast, stems from an underproduction of thyroid hormones. Since your body’s energy production requires certain amounts of thyroid hormones, a drop in hormone production leads to lower energy levels. Causes of hypothyroidism include:

• Hashimoto’s thyroiditis : In this autoimmune disorder, the body attacks thyroid tissue. The tissue eventually dies and stops producing hormones.
• Removal of the thyroid gland: The thyroid may have been surgically removed or chemically destroyed.
• Exposure to excessive amounts of iodide: Cold and sinus medicines, the heart medicine Amiodarone, or certain contrast dyes given before some X-rays may expose you to too much iodine. You may be at greater risk for developing hypothyroidism if you have had thyroid problems in the past.
• Lithium : This drug has also been implicated as a cause of hypothyroidism.

Symptoms of thyroid trouble usually start slowly and can be difficult to diagnose. But overtime, a faster (hyperthyroidism) or slower (hypothyroidism) can cause symptoms that will need to be treated promptly. Talk to your doctor if you or a loved one are experiencing the unusual symptoms listed below and/or have a family history of thyroid disease.

Know the benefits of deep breathing exercises?  Forming a daily habit of deep breathing can have a significant impact in a persons mental and physical health, from reducing stress (a big contributor to anxiety and depression) and improving muscle relaxation to lowering a rapid heartbeat and stabilizing blood pressure.  Deep abdominal breathing produces full oxygen exchange and its practice can help improve a person’s mental ability to focus. Even singers use deep breathing techniques to help them achieve higher vocal range and keep their chords healthy.

Many practices, including Yoga and Pilates, employ deep breathing techniques, but you don’t have to be a Yogi to benefit from forming a habit of good deep breathing; find what works for you, start with just a few minutes a day and reap the healthy benefits of wholesomely good deep breathing.

Here are 6 breathing exercises to get you started!

Our offices will close at 12:00 PM on Friday, March 25th in observance of Good Friday.

We will reopen at our regular business hours on Monday, March 28th.

We wish you and your loved ones a beautiful Easter holiday and a fun and healthy Spring season.

The colon is an important organ in your body that is often overlooked until something feels wrong. Fortunately, there are many easy ways to maintain a healthy colon and avoid possible trouble.

The colon is responsible for absorbing fluids from indigestible foods and producing solid waste for elimination. It also absorbs electrolytes and fatty acids essential for good health and holds a large number of commensal (good) bacteria beneficial to the body.  However, inflammatory conditions, obesity, cancer and poor nutrition can cause the colon to work improperly, which can create major havoc in your system.  Keep your colon healthy by keeping the usually recommended healthy habits for good health:

Knowing the warning signs of these three challenging and possibly deadly events can help you and your loved ones react rapidly and get help right away. Not all heart attacks and strokes present the same symptoms, sometimes symptoms may go away and return.  Cardiac arrests show warning signs days and weeks before the events take place.  Heart attack symptoms in women may vary from those present in men.  Become familiar with the symptoms and call 911 immediately if you or your loved one is experiencing one or more of the symptoms listed below.   Click in the image to learn more.