With summer just beginning, pools and lakes are opening up. It can be a great place to have fun for all ages in the warm weather. However, learning water safety is crucial for those who want to hang out at their neighborhood pools or swim in the nearby lake this summer.
Traveling this summer? Got a long road trip planned? I’ve got you covered with healthy on-the-go clean food options. Your clean eating routine doesn’t have to go by the wayside just because you’ll be away from home and your kitchen. With a little pre-planning, you can create a lot of option…
This month, bring your attention to ALS if you’re looking to bring awareness. Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, or ALS is a progressive, fatal disease. A neurodegenerative disease, it affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. When your motor neurons — which are responsible for sending a…
May is National Physical Fitness and Sports Month – a month dedicated to the importance of athletics and staying active. While this advocacy month applies to everyone, it is mostly directed toward children and how they can learn healthy habits.
I wanted to write a series on healthy summer travel since many of you have upcoming travel plans. I, myself am traveling internationally this summer and have been putting these plans into place now.
Mast cells are like the watchmen of the immune system, scanning the body for known or potential threats. They concentrate in tissues that contact the outside world, like the respiratory, digestive, and urinary tracts. These cells have granules containing more than 200 active compounds, inclu…
Ticks, tiny blood sucking menaces that can be found almost year round, tend to be more populous in the Fairfax region between April through September. With tick season in full swing, precautionary measures should be taken to reduce your risk when venturing outdoors.
Thyroid disease has reached epidemic proportions in the U.S. Autoimmune Hashimoto’s and Graves are on the rise exponentially as well.
It’s easy to think of back surgery as a single procedure to treat a single problem: back pain. After all, the spine is a long, interconnected set of bones and tissue – it seems as though “back surgery” would be a one-size-fits-all proposition. But that couldn’t be further from the truth.
Thank goodness it’s spring! The promenade of mineral-rich, cleansing herbs is in full swing—chickweed, dandelion, plantain, and stinging nettles are making a bright green appearance – and for good reason. These bitter and cleansing herbs and lettuces are great for clearing winter heat and cl…
Our bodies are meant to be able to burn BOTH sugar and fat for fuel. But when you overeat simple carbohydrates, have sleep deprivation, eat too often, or have chronic stress, your insulin levels start to rise. These high levels block your body’s ability to burn body fat and you become depend…
People from racial and ethnic minority groups are more likely to have experienced symptoms of mental illnesses or disorders during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Richmond Highway area of Alexandria, which represents one of the most ethnically and economically diverse areas of Fairfax County2 has…
It’s easy to think of back surgery as a single procedure to treat a single problem: back pain. After all, the spine is a long, interconnected set of bones and tissue – it seems as though “back surgery” would be a one-size-fits-all proposition. But that couldn’t be further from the truth.
Need a quick way to center yourself and your self-care in the midst of a stressful day? Take a moment to breathe. In fact, experts say, deep breathing is a form of meditation that shifts the effects of trauma in our bodies from nervous system overload to less anxiety and stress, and studies …
The rate at which those being diagnosed with anxiety is skyrocketing. Today, it’s mostly young teens and young adults that are suffering the most, but anyone is vulnerable at any age. And since anxiety can have multiple causes, it is important to consider whether the symptoms you are experie…
Following the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) update concerning a national rise in cases of Candida auris (C. auris) infections, the Virginia Department of Health shared information with the statewide medical community to be aware of increases, which are mostly seen in the n…
If you have Type 1 diabetes, Type 2 diabetes, insulin resistance, or pre-diabetes, like 1 billion people in the world, balancing your glucose levels is key to being able to live a long healthy life, and increasing your chances of putting pre-diabetes or Type 2 diabetes into remission.
Strep throat is currently spreading in the Fairfax Health District. Data from emergency departments and urgent care centers in the community have shown an increase in the number of people who have been diagnosed with strep throat since late January 2023. For the week of March 5-11, there wer…
If you’re looking for a quick lunch that will satisfy you for hours, but also has a huge nutritional punch, look no further than this quick homemade salad. The hefty serving of fermented kraut has lots of natural bacteria that can help populate the gut, especially if you have been on antibio…
Ah, midlife - the hormonal changes, the weight gain, the unpredictable moodiness, and sleepless nights. It’s all fun and games until you’re plagued with symptoms and relentless hot flashes. One of the most neglected stages of life for women is the transition into menopause. It’s also the tim…
New resources for youth struggling with addiction and mental health are being made available in Fairfax County. County officials announced a new partnership with Sandstone Care to provide community members with unique individualized treatment plans for those who need assistance.
Some of my favorite meals are actually dishes found around the globe. I love Pad Thai, curries, Ethiopian food, and spicy jerk chicken. What I have found is that if you stock your spice pantry heartily, you can recreate a lot of these dishes at home.
Depression is not a normal part of aging. It is a treatable medical condition, and older adults are at increased risk of developing symptoms of depression (also called major depressive disorder, or MDD).
One of the least-eaten foods in the American diet is leafy greens. Most people don’t know how to prepare them, don’t like the taste of them, or can’t source good quality greens. Leafy greens provide us with myriad health benefits and contain an array of vitamins, minerals, fiber, antioxidant…
It’s a common occurrence. Children, especially those who have lived through trauma, experience a trigger. They become agitated and anxious, which can lead to a tantrum or other outbursts.
To increase transparency and community awareness, the Fairfax County Health Department updated the Opioid Overdoses Dashboard on Feb. 16. The changes aim to better inform residents about trends in non-fatal and fatal opioid overdoses in the Fairfax Health District. The updates focus on two areas:
One of the quickest and healthiest dinners you can make is one with fish. I like wild halibut, but wild salmon or even mahi mahi will work for this. So if you’re not a salmon fan, that’s ok, you can try another wild-caught fish. Salmon is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which are needed for bra…
Seasonal influenzas and COVID-19 aren’t the only viruses present in Fairfax County this winter, according to County Health Department officials.
Studies show that a diet high in sugar can increase the risk of high blood sugar, heart disease, high blood pressure, insulin resistance, fatty liver disease, and obesity. As a result, the American Heart Association recommends limiting your added sugar consumption to no more than 6% of your …
After a three year long global pandemic life is seemingly back to normal. Cases of COVID-19 remain low in Fairfax County, and President Joe Biden is set to lift COVID emergencies in May. To celebrate the end of the pandemic county officials held a recognition event honoring the people and or…
Whether you eat breakfast or not, the first meal you eat of the day is when you are breaking your fast. What you break that fast with is very important in setting the tone for the day. When you eat a meal that has lean protein, fiber-rich vegetables and a small dose of healthy fat, you’ll ha…
Reston Hospital Center is using innovative technology to provide more accurate diagnoses. The robotic bronchoscopy technology integrates robotics, software, and endoscopy cameras and tools that create better access to hard-to-reach nodules and allow for visualization.
Omega-3 fatty acids help keep your brain sharp, maintain a healthy weight, and support a robust immune system.
Approximately 40 percent of all cancer cases can be attributed to modifiable risk factors. These are risk factors based on habits that are within our control.
Whether it’s to exercise more, eat better, or learn a skill, many of us have made resolutions for 2023. As a physician, I’d offer an additional resolution that may not sound exciting but could be the key to a longer, healthier life.
One of the myriad labs tests we run at the Amen Clinics and in my private practice is the Omega fatty acid index to test for Omega 3, 6, and 9 ratios.
We’ve heard this a million times – eat less sugar. But, I think it’s really important to understand the WHY behind the importance of eating a low-glycemic diet and what that really means. The long-term consequences of unbalanced blood sugar include binge eating, weight gain, disrupted sleep,…
Over the past several weeks, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has been investigating a rise in invasive group A strep infections among children following reports of increases in pediatric infections in Colorado, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, and other states. Group A strep infe…
New Year’s Resolutions are declared, started, and often fizzle out almost as quickly as they were declared. Too many people say that this will be the year that they get fit. Then they make a good start of it by purchasing a pair of sneakers, a treadmill, or a gym membership. They have good i…
A lot of folks are trying a dry January – a month of no alcohol - and I think it’s a good idea to take a break now, if not for longer – especially after the festive holiday season.
As we close out the year, this is a good time to reflect on this past year and what you’d like for the New Year. A lot of folks make resolutions to lose weight, get their budget in line, or quit smoking/drinking. I’d like to offer a new vision. Instead of making resolutions that usually don’…
Fairfax County introduced a map-based health inspection report database this fall.
In the cold winter months, I love cuddling up with a mug of delicious ingredients that serve a purpose – a healing medicinal elixir. This functional beverage contains herbs, spices, and anti-inflammatory ingredients that promote healing. Turmeric has anti-inflammatory properties and is a ver…
The first cohort of the Public Health Youth Ambassador Program graduated at John Lewis High School on Dec. 17.
Quality sleep is one of the most important variables to improve your brain function, longevity, and performance in all aspects of life. Sleep disturbance accounts for numerous doctors’ visits and health problems. Just one night of interrupted sleep can increase the hunger hormone, ghrelin an…
Did you know….In Fairfax County, more than 81,000 people are experiencing food insecurity? Eating a healthy diet is difficult without access to nutritious food. You can help.
One of my favorite holiday cookies is the Thumbprint cookie which has a little dollop of homemade jam in the center. Some years I have even been known to freeze a bit of my homemade jellied cranberry sauce and use that as the jam in the center. These cookies are gluten and dairy-free and bec…
Far too many women suffer in silence with urinary incontinence (loss of bladder control). Maybe you were told that a little leakage is just normal as you age. Or you might think the only fix is major surgery. Both statements are false.
According to the Capital Area Food Bank’s 2022 Hunger Report, 41 percent of Fairfax County households with children experience food insecurity. Across the U.S. in 2019, 10 percent of households were, at times, unable to acquire adequate food for one or more household members because they had…
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