Posts from 2021

COVID anxiety
Oct 5 2021

Improved mental health: Another reason to get a COVID-19 vaccine

Preventive Care  •  By Miles Varn, MD

As you would expect, the COVID-19 pandemic increased symptoms of anxiety and depression in people of all ages. Not only were people concerned about themselves or the people they care about getting seriously ill with the virus, they also faced increased social isolation during stay at home orders, loss of jobs, financial hardships, and the... Read More

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prostate cancer
Sep 28 2021

Questions you should ask if you’ve been diagnosed with prostate cancer

Disease Management  •  By Michael Scott, ND, MSA

Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in men in the U.S. after skin cancer, with 248,530 new cases projected to be diagnosed in 2021. We talked with Geovanni Espinosa, N.D., L. AC., a naturopathic and functional medicine doctor who specializes in treating prostate cancer and other male urological conditions about what questions you... Read More

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back-to-school anxiety
Sep 21 2021

Strategies to help your children manage back-to-school anxiety

Family Caregiving  •  By Miles Varn, MD

Most school years, there will be some children who feel anxious about going back to school. They worry about making friends, learning new routines, and whether they’ll like their teacher. But this year, child development specialists are predicting more children than usual may be experiencing back-to-school anxiety related to the pandemic. For some students, this... Read More

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second opinion
Sep 13 2021

Three challenges to getting a second opinion and how to overcome them

Second Opinion  •  By Miles Varn, MD

A second opinion can be a valuable tool to help you ensure that your diagnosis is accurate and you’re choosing an appropriate treatment plan. Second opinions from experienced specialists can confirm or change your diagnosis and treatment options, lowering your risk of misdiagnosis and inappropriate treatment. Researchers at the Mayo Clinic found that approximately 88%... Read More

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parents
Aug 31 2021

Stress management for parents in a time of uncertainty

Family Caregiving  •  By Miles Varn, MD

Being a parent has always been a demanding job. Working to keep your children safe and physically and mentally healthy, balancing work and home life, acting as a caregiver for older parents and relatives, and managing your own health and wellbeing can be stressful at times. But during the pandemic, the stress levels of many... Read More

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summer SAD
Aug 24 2021

Steps you can take to strengthen resiliency

Complementary & Integrative Medicine, Wellness  •  By Michael Scott, ND, MSA

As the pandemic continues, the level of continuing stress and uncertainty is taking its toll on mental and physical wellbeing. For many people, this stress is overlaid on other ongoing stresses in their lives, including the effects of systemic racism and prejudice against communities including people in the LGTBQ+ community and Asian and native communities,... Read More

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healthy aging
Aug 17 2021

What are the key strategies for healthy aging?

Healthy Living  •  By Miles Varn, MD

There’s no magic elixir that will prevent you from getting older, but by making appropriate lifestyle choices and being proactive about finding new ways to optimize your health, you can be healthier as you grow older. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s most recent update of the report, “The State of Aging... Read More

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college
Aug 10 2021

The steps you should take now to protect your college student’s health and wellbeing

Family Caregiving  •  By Miles Varn, MD

If your child is starting or returning to college this fall, there are several steps you can take now to help prepare them to handle health issues that arise while they’re away from home. If they haven’t already been active partners in their care, now is a good time to help them learn how to... Read More

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caregiving
Aug 3 2021

The steps you should take now if caregiving is in your future

Family Caregiving  •  By Miles Varn, MD

At some point in our lives, most of us will take on the role of caregiver for a parent or older family member, spouse or partner, or close friend. The National Alliance for Caregiving’s report Caregiving in the U.S. 2020 found that the number of caregivers (defined as someone caring for an adult or a... Read More

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unvaccinated
Jul 27 2021

Tips for travel with unvaccinated children

Travel Health  •  By Miles Varn, MD

All the adults and teens in your family have received their COVID-19 vaccines and you’re excited to get back to traveling this summer. There’s one concern that’s holding you back though—your 9-year-old is too young to get vaccinated. So how can you make travel safer for everyone in your family? While most children who contract... Read More

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