Author - The Durango Herald

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

Flu season arrives; it’s just the beginning

Perhaps you’ve heard of a lump of coal in the stocking on Christmas morning? Well, this unwelcome Christmas gift is worse. It’s not a visit from Scrooge. It’s not the Grinch. It’...

DATE: Dec 23, 2018 | CATEGORY: La Plata Health Watch

Flu vaccine is safe, effective protection for children

A recent University of Michigan poll indicated that one-third of parents are unlikely to get their children vaccinated for influenza this year. This is despite the fact that inf...

DATE: Nov 26, 2018 | CATEGORY: La Plata Health Watch

Social connections are key to your well-being

Maybe you may have heard of the Blue Zones â€“ five regions of the world notable for the highest longevity, meaning that people live longer, on average, than anywhere else on Earth. ...

DATE: Oct 27, 2018 | CATEGORY: La Plata Health Watch

Depression is common, but there is effective treatment

Depression is one of the most significant public health problems facing our nation. From 1992 to 2002, according to the National Institutes of Health, the prevalence of depressio...

DATE: Sep 29, 2018 | CATEGORY: La Plata Health Watch

Obesity is a disease with far-reaching consequences

The relationship between excess weight and the risk of illness has been known since the time of the ancient Greeks. Yet, the epidemic of obesity experienced in the United States ...

DATE: Aug 26, 2018 | CATEGORY: La Plata Health Watch

Breast milk is the best food for infants, plain and simple

Next week is World Breastfeeding Week. This topic has never been more timely than it is today. Scientific research continues to show a positive relationship between breastfeeding and infant ...

DATE: Jul 28, 2018 | CATEGORY: La Plata Health Watch

Don’t get sick at your next summer picnic

It’s one of the most unpleasant feelings you can imagine – getting a stomach bug. Yet gastroenteritis is quite common and, more importantly, highly preventable. At a time of year...

DATE: Jun 30, 2018 | CATEGORY: La Plata Health Watch

Combating opioid epidemic requires numerous efforts

There is an epidemic of opioid misuse in the United States. While the causes are multifactorial, the results have been devastating to individuals, families and communities throughout the cou...

DATE: May 28, 2018 | CATEGORY: La Plata Health Watch

Dietary changes, exercise can control irritable bowel syndrome

Perhaps you are among the 10 to 15 percent of U.S. adults who suffer from irritable bowel syndrome, which is a leading cause of gastrointestinal distress. IBS is a chronic condit...

DATE: Apr 28, 2018 | CATEGORY: La Plata Health Watch

This trinity spells trouble for our health

Something profound recently occurred to me. As I have been contemplating the collective experiences of a career in primary care medicine, I became aware of the fact that much of...

DATE: Mar 31, 2018 | CATEGORY: La Plata Health Watch