Author - The Durango Herald

We are seeing a resurgence in vaccine-preventable diseases

I was recently chatting with an older colleague about how I have had the benefit to work at a time and place where certain vaccine preventable illnesses are not commonplace. I’m ...

DATE: Dec 29, 2019 | CATEGORY: La Plata Health Watch

The health paradox of our holiday season

It was the best of times. It was the worst of times. So goes the beginning of Charles Dickens’ classic, “A Tale of Two Cities.” From the perspective of our health, much the same ...

DATE: Nov 30, 2019 | CATEGORY: La Plata Health Watch

Recognizing signs of a heart attack early can save a life

It is one of the scariest health events and one of the most important to quickly recognize and address. Known to doctors as a myocardial infarction, I’m talking about a heart attack. ...

DATE: Oct 27, 2019 | CATEGORY: La Plata Health Watch

Early intervention can help children with developmental delays

Every child should have the opportunity to strive for their full potential. By now, the back-to-school sales are over, summer sleep schedules are long forgotten, notebooks have be...

DATE: Sep 29, 2019 | CATEGORY: La Plata Health Watch

How to foster resilience, kindness and joy in your children

August and the start of the school year has always felt like a time for new beginnings – perhaps more so than New Year’s Day. This time of year finds me reflecting on a child’s s...

DATE: Aug 25, 2019 | CATEGORY: La Plata Health Watch

Complications of diabetes can be widespread, but they can be prevented

One of the most common chronic health conditions affecting adults in the United States is Type 2 diabetes mellitus. Risk factors for diabetes include family history of the condition, increas...

DATE: Jul 28, 2019 | CATEGORY: La Plata Health Watch

Treatment can reduce damage from asthma

Asthma is the most common chronic respiratory illness in the United States. It is also a condition for which there is sufficient evidence to support a standardized approach to treatment. ...

DATE: Jun 24, 2019 | CATEGORY: La Plata Health Watch

The challenge of the omnivore’s dilemma in the modern world

Humans are among the world’s few species that are omnivores. In 1976, University of Pennsylvania psychologist Paul Rozin coined the term, the omnivore’s dilemma, to describe the ...

DATE: May 26, 2019 | CATEGORY: La Plata Health Watch

Pain in your upper abdomen? It might be your gallbladder

A concerning and fairly common cause of abdominal pain is a problem with the gallbladder. The gallbladder is in the upper right part of the abdomen and is responsible for aiding digestion. ...

DATE: Apr 28, 2019 | CATEGORY: La Plata Health Watch

Regular screening can reduce risk from this common cancer

Colorectal cancer is the third leading cause of cancer among both men and women in the United States. Regular screening for colon cancer has been shown to greatly reduce the risk of illness ...

DATE: Mar 25, 2019 | CATEGORY: La Plata Health Watch

Water just might cure what ails you

Let me ask you something. What is your relationship with water? Suppose I told you that water is fundamental to human health – perhaps in ways you do not yet recognize or acknowle...

DATE: Feb 25, 2019 | CATEGORY: La Plata Health Watch

Incremental change, environmental ‘nudges’ build new habits

It’s hard to believe that it’s been nearly a month since the new year dawned. New beginnings – an opportunity for change. The only thing more germane to this January holiday than...

DATE: Jan 28, 2019 | CATEGORY: La Plata Health Watch